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

Well, Heiji couldn't say anything, either, SO MAYBE THEY'D JUST STARE AT EACH OTHER AND NOT SAY ANYTHING okay no.

Heiji took that silence as a yes. He sighed, which was apparently okay because he was not immediately electrocuted, thanks for that, Zero. And look, Sasuke. Stop foiling everyone's attempts to protect you from future ninjury. Have an exasperated look.

What did you have to pay for that?

"I don't know. He didn't say." That much is truthful... even if he's not readily expanding on the one other thing he knows.

That actually did sound legit, as Zero hadn't told him or Hershel what their punishments were. Heck, if Heiji were more like Jake or Sasuke, it might have even taken him a while to figure his out.

Unable to say as much, Heiji reached over instead, aiming to ruffle Sasuke's hair. You were a nice guy, Sasuke, and he was glad you didn't seriously hurt yourself falling out of that tree.

He doesn't avoid it, but he does tense slightly. Guess who's still unused to random physical affection, hint it's this guy. Hell if he knows what he did to deserve a hair ruffle, either.

"More importantly, are you going to be alright? If you can't talk..." Well, for one thing, he probably figured it out because he tried to say something and was immediately punished through the bracelet. And for another...

Being unable to speak would make communicating with Snake incredibly difficult.

That's okay, Sasuke. Heiji was still smiling at you, you weirdo.

He raised an eyebrow at Sasuke. If he couldn't talk, what? The rooms would be more dangerous? Life would be incredibly frustrating? He couldn't gossip about everyone? Well, to be honest, he didn't much feel like gossiping, anyway.

"...Snake."

That's... pretty much all that needs to be said, really.

Heiji's expression fell; he looked away a little before coming back with an answer.

I can still communicate some. And likely they'd improve over time, but this clearly was not ideal. He hated not being able to talk to Snake, though at least in terms of timing they'd gotten some things straightened out before this round.

"...If there's anything I can do to help, let me know." He'd voted against Snake, too... It's the least he could do.

Were you also offering to read long, embarrassing love letters Sasuke, was that what was going on. Heiji nodded slowly; he'd consider it.

You should stay out of the trees until you're less tired. You could get hurt badly.

If they really wanted him to... yes. In the most monotone voice ever.

You're welcome.

"...I'll stick to the ground for now and wait until I'm rested." Never mind that he... probably got about the same amount of rest as usual? Seriously, what--

It happens without any warning. Suddenly, he's too tired to even keep his eyes open, raising a hand to his head in confusion. He has the sense to lean against the tree for support at least, but soon enough he's sinking to the ground in an exhausted heap.

Heiji hovered over Sasuke, looking around frantically to see if anyone was around who could help with random narcoleptic ninjas. What the hell was even going on? What was wrong with you Sasuke? Clearly yes, the world was much more boring without Heiji's textwalls, but not that boring, you had so much to live for.

Well maybe if you could actually talk with that boisterously loud voice of yours he'd actually wake up or something.

But no, he'll be out for about five minutes or so. Heiji is free to ditch out in the meantime, because even when he wakes up he's going to be - surprise! - groggy still.

Hmm, should he leave Sasuke to lie out on the floor by himself?

...Yeah, no. When Sasuke woke up, his head would be resting on a folded-up jacket. Heiji was sitting by the river, with a mug in his hand. There was a little sprig of something in it.

...?

It takes him a moment to collect himself again once he wakes. He was in the dark-- no, he was in the garden. What was he doing in the garden? He had rested in the tree for a while, but somehow he fell, Heiji caught him, and then...

...Where did the jacket come from? Had he been out that long?

He sits up, his hand pressed to his head. He's so tired, it's making it hard to think...

"...What's going on...?"

You fell asleep again, said Heiji. He indicated five minutes with his fingers.

You weren't doing this before. True, they all looked a little tired -- particularly Clive, who had been doing his best Sleeping Beauty impression. But Sasuke as a general rule didn't just pop off in the middle of a conversation. This was... concerning.

If that happens in a puzzle room, it could be trouble. You should rest.

Five minutes? Not that long, then. But still pretty concerning when he wasn't normally the type to sleep too much to begin with.

His eyes flicker briefly to his bracelet. Just what had been in that injection...? It couldn't have been the usual dose of Soporil, or he would have been out for much longer. He didn't feel it go off again, either.

"...Alright. I'll try to take it easy for now." If in part because he's beginning to realize just how pointless it is to try to do much if he's prone to falling asleep at any given time. Rest might not help, but at least he won't cause any trouble that way.

"Sorry if I worried you."

Heiji put a hand to his chin, opened his mouth, and... remembered he wasn't allowed to talk. He did catch that look at Sasuke's bracelet, but the reaction didn't seem the same as when he'd seen the others get sedated.

I have a couple of sedatives, if you need them later. Too bad they didn't have any warm milk or anything, sorry Sasuke.

He'll survive, somehow.

"...I'm still pretty sleepy. I don't think it'll be a problem." What a naïve child he is.

With a final nod, he'll head off to find a nice corner to sit in until he gets hungry probably. No need to keep passing out all over the dang complex.

CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

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