vivarium | CALHOUN HOUR

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CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

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

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[He ignores the concerned look, but... Ouch. Jake has his sympathy-- the normal flavor of tear gas was bad enough...]

Is he alright...?

He's... well, you know him, ever stubborn in the face of adversity. [Hershel answers after a moment's thought, opening the door to the cafeteria for them to enter.] I'm worried about his eyes, they certainly had a number done to them. I don't think Zero would do something to permanently blind him- I desperately hope he wouldn't at least. I suppose we'll see.

He can't see?

[That's... not good. Even though they'd all had their share of injuries, none of it was so permanently damaging before.]

...If this is his idea of a Calhoun Hour, I don't want to see what the rooms will be like.

No, not as of now he can't at least. I think that's half the point, all these "punishments" are going to be a problem when the puzzle rooms go about. Heiji won't be able to communicate as well, Jake will have quite a touch of trouble getting around... [He sighs. Life.]

Maybe it'll end beforehand, I suppose we can hope.

I'm worried about the rooms themselves, too. They've been getting more and more difficult as it is... I don't think Zero plans to take it easy on us, either.

[This is such a crappy situation all around. Not even the promise of terrible gruel brings much cheer, for some unknown reason.]

[If the gruel can't lift spirits then there really is no hope.] No, I daresay he won't. We'll all need to be as careful as possible.

[Have a small smile.] Which is why you should probably eat something, keep your strength up against this fatigue.

[...Does he really look that tired? Still, he'll go ahead and grab a bowl.]

I guess so.

[He doesn't sound super enthusiastic, but if Hershel's still feeling fine enough to offer encouraging words like that, he's got to be alright for now. Right?

Once they've gotten their seats, Sasuke will get to eating, albeit slowly. It's nothing especially new for him; his appetite has always remained relatively small even after he adjusted to having regular access to food again.]

[You looked like you were going to fall out of a tree, Sasuke. Hershel follows, grabbing a bowl too even though he wasn't all that hungry. Nerves did that to you, but hey, he could force down some gruel for Sasuke's sake. Commiseration with this awful food and all.

He ate a few bites before deciding it was time for a break because blugh, placing his spoon down with a sigh.]

I wonder if all this was punishment for not being as helpful as we could, or if Zero really is this unpleasant.

I think it might just be him. But I guess this confirms if Calhoun's an AI or not...

I think so, I mean if it was someone controlling Calhoun they could probably just use the screens if his body was destroyed, right? [He shrugs] Unless of course this was all part of some strange plan. It's hard to say with that lot.

The events... too...

[His eyes narrow with weariness, and his head dips as he slumps, the spoon he'd been holding clattering onto the table. Because apparently having Sasuke pass out on him randomly is Hershel's life from now on.

Hershel might want to do something before he falls face first into the gruel.]

[At least he's lived this moment before, he's totally prepared- meaning his eyes widen and he immediately gets up.]

Sasuke? [Just grabbing his shoulder so he would do a gruel faceplop, you're welcome, bro. He carefully pushes the bowl away so he can let Sasuke lie against the table as he figures out what the hell to do. If he wakes up soonish then enjoy Hershel hovering fretfully over him, if not then enjoy waking up in the garden or on the way to the garden because he figures that's a little better place for sleepy over here.

At the very least he won't try to wake him up too much, even if he'll stick around and fret. Plenty of time to decide this is clearly Zero's doing.]

[Hershel are you implying he's a liar because

You'd be totally right.

Anyway it's a good thing he's still groggy as hell when he wakes up en route to the garden because that means his reaction is limited to some very slight shifting as he tries to reorient himself as opposed to more dangerous and potentially things.

Where is he, what's going on, is Hershel carrying him?? What???]

[At least you're smaller so this isn't impossible for him to do. Things could be worse, you could be dragged along like a garbage bag or something. Small miracles.

I'm not even sure what the most sensible way of carrying him would be... bridal?? Piggyback?? Probably piggyback if he could manage. When Sasuke shifts he glances over as best he can.]

Ah, good, you're awake. You almost fell into your gruel, I thought I should take you to the garden- more comfortable and all. [Is he worried? Yes. Very.]

[Ooh Mr. Layton ooh. Alas, he's too busy being super confused to really register the majesty of Hershel's physical prowess. His expression is a good deal more unsettled than usual up until he catches sight of the conspicuous bracelet clinging tightly as ever to his wrist.

Zero had given him some kind of injection... just what was it? Not Soporil, but something else...?

...

He made the deal to help out Hershel, and yet here he is causing trouble...]

...Sorry for worrying you. I can walk now.

[Enjoy the majesty of his stupid hair if it's piggyback, it's a little in your face. I'm sorry. Hershel doesn't interrupt his train of thought, still moving to the garden and worrying silently, no need to start harassing him if he might fall back to sleep again. Maybe he needed it.

When he speaks Hershel pauses, glancing at him from the corner of his eye.]

Are you sure? [He hesitates a moment before kneeling a bit so Sasuke could get down.] I'm sorry for dragging you along like this, I wasn't sure if I should wait for you to get up or not. You seemed to be sleeping deeply enough.

[And back on solid ground, woo. Sleeping deeply though... Even when he sleeps, he's definitely the type to wake up at small things, much less getting picked up and carried.

On the other hand, he's also falling asleep right in the middle of doing stuff so really at this point anything goes, it seems.]

Sorry. I probably should have rested more after all.

[But with how tired he continues to be... is it even going to help?]

[Hershel's trying really hard not to just flat out fret, he really is. You're giving him a heart attack, Sasuke.]

Come on, let's get to the garden at least. Much more comfortable. [He offers gently, the kind of tone you give to a sick person or someone still waking up. clearly hiding is concern is working beautifully and no one can tell. At the very least he isn't about to hound Sasuke (yet) about what the heck is up, he'll just make for the garden, glancing to see he was being followed and no one was falling asleep again.]

[This is the exact opposite of what he wanted, darn it. Still, he'll follow along obediently. See? No passing out. He'll be fine.]

...You don't have to do this. I'll be alright from here.

It's not like I have much else to do. [Such a cool customer with his slightly joking tone, see everything's just. fine. And his expression falters a bit.]

If you'd like to be alone to rest at least let me get you there, it's probably unnecessary but I'd appreciate humoring me with it.

[He catches that falter, and it makes him feel terrible. Please stop worrying about him so much...]

...The corner to the left once we go inside should be fine.

[In case Jake is using the bench closer to the waterfall or something. Besides, grass > benches, clearly.]

[Ask that again when your sleeping affliction goes away.]

Alright- probably better to stay away from the trees until you're feeling a little better.

[Imagine if Sasuke actually did fall out of a tree now, what a life. He leads them to said corner, pausing again.] Would you like me to leave you to rest?

[It's not an affliction, it's just--

Yeah no, it's better to not even bring it up at this point.]

...I won't climb until I've rested. [See, even he's not that ridiculous.] You don't have to stick around until I fall asleep again, though.

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CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

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