CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

[vivariummods]

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

Comments

[skyentificmethod]

I'm fine if you're fine.

[she frowns briefly, then drops it with a shrug]

I'm fine either way, I guess. But the first case is more optimal.

So, he didn't do anything to you in there?

[puzzlinglad]

Well, if you're sure... [truly the voice of the convinced.]

No, not a thing, besides mentioning the lessened punishment bit- which implies there is some punishment I haven't figured out yet. I think he's just having a laugh letting me wait for the other shoe to drop. [sigh] Maybe he'll do something nasty for the puzzle rooms, I don't know. I'm worried he might have done something to one of you instead and called that fair play.

[skyentificmethod]

You worry too much. Everything doesn't have to be 100 percent awful to everyone all the time. It doesn't seem like there were too many physical injuries. So don't get any ideas about spending the rest of your BP.

[puzzlinglad]

[he has to smile a little at that.] Don't worry, learned my lesson there. I couldn't handle another round of stern talkings to.

I suppose you have a point, it's not like waiting for the other shoe to drop will do much good. Still... [fretting's in his blood apparently. he shakes his head.] Will you help me with Jake while his eyes are doing poorly? I'm a little worried he'll decide he's fine then break his neck down some stairs rather than admit he could use a bit of help getting around.

[skyentificmethod]

Well, yeah. I'll lend him my mop, he can use it as a cane. Maybe he can ask Snake for some blind tips, too.

[puzzlinglad]

I'd laugh but that might actually help. Better than having him try to take lessons in being sightless, I can't imagine that ending in anything other than tragedy, can you?

[skyentificmethod]

[she poses, tapping her temple like a proper prosecutor]

The lessons of the past only add up to one truth.

[puzzlinglad]

[thank you, prosecutor skye. he has to laugh a bit.] An elegant way to put it. As long as he doesn't realize he's getting too much help it'll probably be fine. A very delicate, complicated matter, this.

[skyentificmethod]

It's not like there's much he can do about it. If he hadn't wanted mother henning he should've voted different...

[the sentence trails to a stop, her arch expression flickering before going blank]

[puzzlinglad]

You know him, he was never going to vote against you. [Hm that look, have a concerned one in return.] Are you quite sure you're feeling alright?

[skyentificmethod]

...Huh? No, everything's good. What were we talking about?

[puzzlinglad]

[double hm.] You seem distracted, is all. And rather... [He didn't know the word for it. not ready to cause trouble??] Maybe you should have a bit of a kip or a bite to eat.

[skyentificmethod]

[wow what sort of reputation does she have...]

I guess... Are you hungry?

[puzzlinglad]

[a punching calhoun one]

I could eat. [if it means getting her some food] Ladies first. [He gestures for Ema to go ahead, onward to the cafeteria which will sure make everything better.]

[skyentificmethod]

[heading to the caf then!]

The food never got any better after we fought feet and everything, did it...

[puzzlinglad]

No, I'm afraid not. Maybe burning a few limbs in the cafeteria wasn't the best way to insist on better service. [what a sentence. when they get closer to the cafeteria he opens the door for her.]

Frankly I'm just relieved they weren't real, though why they were storing a bunch of bloody robot limbs with the food is beyond me.

[skyentificmethod]

Well, what can you expect from-- from--

[her face screws up in concentration as whatever it is is grasped for --then slackens as it is lost. Must not have been that important after all?]

Speaking of gruel, I never got around to opening up that head. Wonder if it's still okay.

[puzzlinglad]

[triple hm, well he clearly just can't let this slide, so he stops moving for a moment to stare at her in concern.] Honestly Ema, what's going on? You've been acting strangely- did Zero do something to you?

[put aside thoughts of that dead head for a moment, this is a time for fret]

[skyentificmethod]

[what about fretting over losing one's head, i mean what if it ended up back in the gruel after all??]

Don't start worrying. I'm just a little tired, I think?

[definitely more of a question than a statement, whoops. however, that's still her best guess? probably?]

What about you, are you sure you're okay? A lot of the punishments are super tough. You can trust me...

[puzzlinglad]

[it'd probably be as shocking and entertaining as someone digging it up unknowing in the garden.]

I... see. [Zero definitely did something, that's his professional opinion. He gestures for her to please sit down, totally not fret central it's fine.] You should rest then, goodness knows you'll need your strength to properly glower at Calhoun whenever he comes back.

Of course I trust you, Ema. [He takes a seat and sighs.] If I promise to tell you the minute I figure out what this 'punishment' is, will that help?

[skyentificmethod]

[.........:|aaa]

Yes, actually, it would. Appreciate it.

...Though I don't know if I appreciate the thought of the rat coming back, joking or not I can't--stand--

[...

...can't? stand? ...well, that's why sitting was invented, right? which hey, they were doing right now! how great! really, what a great. --Except no; Ema blinks, that doesn't even make sense, what a stupid thing to even think abou

...t?

...tl;dr, some amount of blank staring later,]

Uh, anyway, that'd be fine. [what would be fine? who knows. but it's important to act normal so Hershel doesn't worry and that totally seems like a normal thing to say, ok, she's got this]

[puzzlinglad]

[yup, totally nailed it, acting normal as can be. you're killing him here, he kind of hovers for a moment before standing.] Here, stay there, I'll get you some water, alright?

[off he goes to get water and food for the clearly not well Ema if she was blankly staring instead of yelling about Calhoun. in a few moments he's back, placing the tray in front of her.] Have some water, do you mind if a touch your forehead a moment? Just in case, if you're coming down with something.

[skyentificmethod]

I don't think I'm sick.

[but she submits to whatever fussing he wishes to do peacefully. she's a little warm but not that warm, and maybe her eyes are a little dilated but hey, it's a little dark in here.]

Seriously, I feel okay for the most part. Just relax, don't worry about it.

[puzzlinglad]

[he feels her forehead with the back of his hand- hm. well. this would work better if he had any real idea of how this worked. she was a bit warmer but she wasn't burning up so what did that mean?? he'll just frown and decide while she's probably not dying of fever this may be further proof shit isn't ideal.]

Alright, just- [He pauses a moment, then pulls out his bag and rifles through it. remember those coupons you made him? totally using one now, holding it out to her and everything.] If I use this now will you actually make sure to tell me if you get worse, or something's really wrong?

[skyentificmethod]

[she frowns, she'd been so careful though gosh]

Look-- look, I'm just feeling a little out of it is all. But I'm not worried about it so you shouldn't worry either. Okay? You're gonna give yourself an ulcer before you can even graduate school.