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

[not_that_sasuke]

[Simple, and yet it has all the possibility to have a brutal result. So this is how Zero chooses to play...

After Zero's announcement, he can be found leaning fairly casually against a wall, evidently deep in thought. Despite his posture, he doesn't seem to be especially hurting - or at least, if he is, he gives no indication of it.

This could get tricky... They have injured people among them. If those people are paired together, then...]

[detectiveofthewest]

SUP SASUKE

WHAT'RE YOU DOING, THINKING BY YOURSELF

TOO BAD

"Hey, Sasuke? You got a minute? I wanna ask you what you want me to do for your pair." That was Heiji, apparently more concerned about other people's problems than his own.

[not_that_sasuke]

"...I think I'm more or less recovered now. You should vote for the other person." It's... not entirely, true, but he's also pretty certain he can deal with the consequences no matter what they turn out to be.

[detectiveofthewest]

"Yeah, I figured you'd say that much," said Heiji, rubbing at the back of his neck. He didn't think it was entirely true, either, but at least Sasuke wasn't as injured as like... Alfendi, the Bluebell-puncher. "I can't promise I'll do that, but I'll try to keep it in mind."

He paused for a brief moment. "You know what, I'm gonna just leave my end of it up to you. You seem like you got a pretty good head on your shoulders when it doesn't involve taking care of yourself. No hard feelings either way."

[not_that_sasuke]

At least he's cautious, okay. It's not his fault the vents in this building are rickety and occasionally collapse while certain ninja kids are crawling around in them.

"Thanks." Probably? He would have preferred a promise, but Heiji's a little too sharp for him to get away with that fib, so he supposes that's about the best he'll get. And as for the second part...

"I'm... mostly worried about Dove and Alfendi." Their lives could seriously be in danger if they were subject to Zero's punishments. It's only a mild relief to know that Heiji wouldn't hold it against him for voting to keep them safe over him; there are still so many pairs that could make it difficult to choose...

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji nodded. "Especially Alfendi. He was pretty bad off when I saw him. He let us change his bandages, at least, but that Bluebell took a chunk out of him."

That Alfendi, always punching angry robots.

"And Clive can't walk right now. He'll be in bad shape if the next set of rooms require a lot of movement..."

[not_that_sasuke]

"Alfendi just fell into a coma again, too, didn't he?" Is he really going to be alright...?

"...We might just need to be ready to pool our BP. I don't know if either of them can survive getting hurt again in conditions like this."

[fairsfair]

[ He's not really close with Sasuke (he's... not close with most people here, lbr), but he does know that Sasuke is decently young so beef jerky approaching. ]

So, thoughts?

[not_that_sasuke]

[Where the hell did this slab of dried meat come from and why is it talking to him.]

...I think I'll try to prioritize anyone who's hurt, if it's possible. [Unless Clive and Alfendi are paired in which case ahaha that's gonna go badly.]

Other than that... I'm not sure. What do you think?

[fairsfair]

[ wow, that's Mr Slab of Dried Meat to you, buster. Show some respect ]

Fair enough, but don't expect everyone to follow the same train of thought. [ I mean, if it's between someone like Hershel and Clive, then Hershel all the way. ] Don't really have a lot of thoughts about it. Guess we won't know what we'll do until we see the pairs.

[not_that_sasuke]

[Sorry, Mr. Slab Of Dried Meat.]

...I know. The only votes I can be sure of are my own.

[The problem will be the decisions themselves...]

...Is there anyone you think you'll vote for no matter what?

[fairsfair]

[ yeah, you better be sorry. Sheesh, kids these days. ]

... Yeah, I have a few in mind. [ Namely Hershel hahaha... Ema might be up there too, but he's not going to say. ] I'm guessing you've got some as well.

[not_that_sasuke]

...It's possible.

[What a fantastically noncommital answer.]

I don't want to worry anyone, either. I've healed enough now- whatever Zero's planning, I could probably handle it.

[Problem is, some people like Heiji and Hershel might not believe that.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel approaches him after a while, regarding him a moment as if trying to suss out how he was doing (which is exactly his intention) before joining him by the wall.]

Penny for your thoughts? [Apparently that started as a british saying, how weird is that.]

[not_that_sasuke]

[Which is exactly why he's holding himself so carefully, even if it doesn't seem that way. There isn't any cringing from sore wounds, or other slouching that might hint at pain. He looks about as well as can be in a place like this. So people don't have to feel bad if they vote against him - as they should, really. He can handle some pain where others might not.]

...I'm not sure. I'll try to vote for anyone who's injured, but depending on who the pairs are...

[It... might not actually work.]

[puzzlinglad]

[Sasuke, you clever boy. Hershel at least seems happy to note Sasuke doesn't seem to be anymore injured than he was before as he leans back some.]

It could be tricky. [He sighs.] There's also the matter of who's doing well mentally, emotionally, things of that nature. Zero never said the punishment would certainly be physical.

[Which concerns him more than he was going to admit.] This is all right rubbish.

[not_that_sasuke]

[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.]

[puzzlinglad]

[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.

[not_that_sasuke]

[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...]

[blind_badass]

*Once again, Sasuke was so quiet that not even Snake realized he was there when he walked past him to lean against a patch of wall to think.* What a devilish game you play, Zero. *He said to himself.*

[not_that_sasuke]

[Ah...]

Snake... do you mind if we talk for a second?

[His voice is quiet; it'll carry to Snake at least, but he doesn't really want to be overheard, either.]

[blind_badass]

*It's to Snake's credit that he doesn't startle at all. Sasuke, you really need a bell around your neck.*

I'm listening.

[not_that_sasuke]

[He isn't a cat, please don't.]

...It's about the votes. And... the deal.

Mostly, I'm worried about what will happen if he's paired against Alfendi or Dove.

[Cutting right to the chase.]

[blind_badass]

*You'd have to get your hair ruffled like a cat too, so probably not.*

Well...if he's paired with someone injured, he'd be upset we'd vote for him instead. So we'd have to take that into account.

[not_that_sasuke]

If something happens to him, I can get a medical kit. I have enough to buy one without putting my BP below 9, so at least we could treat any injuries.