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

Unless Zero has a hidden kindness in him I suspect something will happen. [Shockingly he didn't think much of Zero.] As far as I've seen, yes. He's... unhappy right now. I'd give him a wide berth for a bit. [Jake being angry?? Never.]

[He takes a seat at the bench, leaving room for Snake.] I already offered this to Heiji but I'd be happy to read his notes to you, if you two wish to speak.

Hmmm. Hershel? Do you think if I gave Jake some time to cool down and approached him later, would he take any advice?

*As for passing notes...* You are a true friend, Hershel. I do hope if Heiji wants to give me information, he doesn't make you read a love letter or something equally embarrassing. *Although hearing Hershel get flustered might be amusing.*

[Hershel frowns as he considers.] Possibly. Jake is a rather prickly fellow, he doesn't much seem to like even the vague implication he might need help with something. If you do I'd suggest being roundabout with it, maybe just mention some vague troubles you have sometimes and how you get around it.

[He had to laugh a bit at that.] No worries, I'm sure Heiji would rather swallow glass than have me read a letter like that. [He pauses.] I'm rather worried about him, really, this is going to be a long few days for him.

Hmmm. Or I could offer him advice but leave it entirely up to him to accept. *He can actually empathize with not wanting people to smother him as though he couldn't take care of himself.*

I hadn't considered that. He does enjoy the art of conversation. *With it being cut off, Heiji's mood would no doubt plummet.* Well, we'll have to provide the talking for him. He can write to you and I'll just have to figure out something in case you're not around to read notes.

Well, best of luck whatever the case. He's been in a mood lately, I hope he'll be alright. [Says the guy who smothers everyone with this bullshit, whoops.]

I'm sure Clive or Sasuke would be more than happy to take my place. It'd be rather nice, the group spending some time together. I'm sure that will lift his spirits at least a touch.

Which reminds me, do feel free to call on me if you need help with anything. Having your arm in such a state can't be easy for the day to day.

I will be sure to do that, but I still have one good...*He was going to finish his sentence by gesturing with his left arm when it decided to...glitch, for lack of a better term. He started to lift it and then it fell limply to his side.*

*Snake closed his mouth, turned his head toward his arm as though he could see it and let out a long exhale.* Well then. Apparently there are limits to how long -that- arm will cooperate.

[Have concern, shockingly, as his brow furrows.] What happened? Did Zero hurt your prosthetic somehow?

*Snake scrunched his eyes and concentrated. Then his expression cleared.* I don't think it's that. It might be a natural limitation of the arm that I hadn't considered. Because I'm right handed, I tend to use that arm more. I still use my left but maybe only half as much.

I suppose it means I'll have to conduct experiments to test the limits on its usage time.

So you're overworking it? [Zero sucked. He stifles a sigh.] Well... you'll have to try to take it easy. The puzzleroom will be a bit of a challenge though, I imagine.

*Certainly the appropriate answer to most questions here.*

I'll have to trust my luck that I'm paired with people who can see. *Being paired with Jake might make solving the room a bit of a challenge. Not that Snake couldn't do it, but it'd take him time.*

It may be a problem if you're with Jake or Heiji, but- well, we'll all get by. We always do. [Except when people die but. you know. Ever hopeful.]

You promise you'll take it easy until then, won't you?

I promise to refrain from operating heavy machinery and getting involved in cage matches until I am recovered.

You also should take care, Hershel. Since we have no idea what your punishment is right now.

Ha ha Snake, just take it easy, that's all I ask. We're all here to help, you know.

[have a sigh.] I know, and I will, once I do. Until then I hope you'll all forgive me a little fretting, given how the whole lot of you are doing.

Oh believe me, I do appreciate it. Especially since my left arm appears to have an invisible timer on it.

Someday you're going to have all of us fuss over you and you won't know what to do with yourself, Hershel.

I can't imagine it won't be a very annoying time for you.

[he laughs a bit] I've already had that, Jake and Ema especially. And you all say I'm the one who frets.

Wait a moment? Jake frets over you? He of the brief conversations? *Because that's something hard for Snake to picture.*

Oh, he's not a bad bloke, just icy to people he doesn't know too well. He likes Ema and I well enough, though it took a while. [He pauses.] He's a good friend, really.

Well, I'll take your word for it. We actually have conversed a few times recently. I've also yet to be in puzzle room with him. That being said, I hope it's not this next round as that may prove challenging.

Strange that you haven't- well, Jake's easy enough to understand with that. If he says he'll ally he will stay true to his word, if he doesn't say anything... I suppose then it might be better to bring up mutual betrayal. [he muses] I doubt it'll be a problem, no reason for anyone to betray each other these days, is there?

CALHOUN HOUR - CHOICE

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