vivarium | CALHOUN HOUR

It has been two and a half days since the end of the virus takeover. The power, lights, and heating has been turned back on. All the newer areas have been sealed, BP is once again required in certain rooms, and it appears that everything is returning back to normal.

Asides from Calhoun.

Whether characters have chosen to give pieces of Calhoun to Zero, to hold onto them, or to destroy them, it does not matter. There has been no indications as to when he would ever be back, so there has been a robotic mouse void within the warehouse. Zero has refused to leave any information as to the status of rebuilding Calhoun, but they have left this one message for everyone shortly after the power restoration:

"While you may be left alone to your devices, do not trick yourselves into thinking that there is a way out of here, or that you can do as you please. I will always be watching."

It has been two days since Zero has left these parting words before entirely disappearing. When attempting to call for them, everyone will only be responded with silence. It's clear that they're still watching over the facility though, as any kind of rule breaking or suspicious activities would automatically be rewarded with an injection of Soporil β. True to their word, Zero is somehow monitoring the behaviors without saying a single word.

It is not until the morning of Day 72 does everyone hear again from them again, through the speakers throughout the warehouse.

"Good morning, Subjects. Today, you will be partaking in another experiment of mine. It has come to my knowledge that my assistant has been throwing these so-called "Calhoun Hours" every three days to keep everyone stimulated between his rooms. Don't assume that I will do anything similar of the sort. This activity has far more care and thought put into it than this camping nonsense, so let us begin."

"The rules are simple: every test subject will be paired up and placed against each other. The collective will then have to vote for one of the pair. The one with the fewest amount of votes will be subjective to a punishment of my choice. The one with the most amount of votes will continue their dull experimental lives until the next set of events."

"Any petty attempts of rebellion will be met with serious repercussions, so I would suggest that you rethink any sort of plans."

"Now, best of luck, Subjects. We will talk again soon."

BASIC INFO ✖ MINGLE ✖ VOTES ✖ RESULTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's got a point. Sasuke already made the mistake of assuming it would be physical pain with the fears, and that turned out not to be the case. But he'll continue to hold himself together anyway--

He doesn't think the others would consider him mentally or emotionally fragile, so as long as there's a chance...]

...Have you seen Jake recently? How did he seem to be doing?

[Since. That PTSD sure was a thing.]

[At that question Hershel rubs his wrist a moment, looking troubled. Shock of shocks, he's worried.]

I think he's a little better, whatever happened in the grey room made him... jumpy. [He drops his hands.] I... don't know what to do about him. On one hand I think he needs a break, there are a few scenarios I'd love to vote for him in but-

He's so stubborn. I know he'd take it personally if he was voted the winner in some cases. I'm afraid making him feel like he's weak and needs those votes might be more damaging in some cases. [And he pauses.] Ah, sorry, it's just been something I've been thinking about.

[And he just quietly notes the action. Hershel's wrist...]

We can't easily get him a medical kit afterwards, either. Not with how stubborn he is.

[On the other hand, it could be outright dangerous if he was triggered again...]

No, I doubt he'd agree to a medkit or even help with one, he's very stubborn. Then again there are a few people here I doubt wouldn't be stubborn about it. I'm not really in a position to help anyway, even if I wanted to.

[At least he learned enough to not try and offer any of his 9 BP, be proud.] I'm glad you've been talking to him a bit more, Jake that is. I always felt like you two could get along if he'd stop being so stubbornly stand offish.

[Good job Hershel, you keep having that self-preservation instinct.]

I don't mind putting in BP to get a kit for anyone who needs to after this. [If they as a group can afford it, at any rate...]

...He isn't a bad person. He's helped me out a few times now.

[Learn from this example, Sasuke.] How much do you have now? At least a few people may be able to help without putting themselves under. Maybe it's too much to hope it won't come to that.

He isn't, if only I could convince him that. At least he's trying a bit harder than he was to allow people to say so. [He smiles and shakes his head.] You've changed a little too, I think.

[Shush he's expendable okay.]

I have 25 right now, so I could pay for a kit for one person and add one more point towards another kit without putting myself below 9 points.

[He looks faintly surprised at that second part however.]

...Really?

[And this is why the motherhenning... Hershel nods.] I think a few other people have almost as much as well, and Alfendi should have some of his left. [He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, this blows.] I wish we had any idea what to expect here, that would make things a little easier at least.

[He has to smile again.] Well, you're a little more talkative now, you were understandably reserved when this all started. I suppose you don't seem as... distant, maybe that's the word. I hope that isn't impertinent to say.

That's probably part of the point. He'll be able to watch our reactions when we realize what we just sentenced each other to.

[To say nothing of the initial struggle over who to pick...]

...That's normal though, isn't it? I know everyone a lot better now.

[He's not a super sociable person, and he's aware of as much, but he never really minded talking to anyone who approached him. It helps that people definitely seek him out nowadays, too.]

Probably, that's the terrifying part it seems. [What an asshole Zero is.] I think everyone I've spoken to has wanted the other in their pair picked.

[He nods.] I suppose so, still, do you think you'd be more likely to talk to someone new in the game now than before? [Forgive him, he's just really curious to see how everyone's been changing here and there.]

They did?

[That's heartening, at least. Even now, they're looking out for each other instead of falling for Zero's trap. Good.]

...Yes, but that's because I've been here long enough to be able to help now.

Heiji, of course, he's not a surprise. Jake of course thinks he could take on the world with his hand tied behind his back, gormless bloke that he is. Heard Clive said similar to Heiji, and I suspect you'd say the same. [His tone is tired but bemused.] We're a barmy bunch.

I suppose so. [He answers thoughtfully.] Well, whatever the case, I'm glad to see it if I may say so, but I imagine you've had enough of my prodding where I don't belong.

I think I'm mostly healed by now. It doesn't hurt anymore, at least.

[Even after that tumble with the vents. Totally.]

...Sorry. It's not that I mind, but... I just don't think I've changed very much.

CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

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