vivarium | CALHOUN HOUR

Early in the morning of Day 84, an announcement booms from the warehouse speakers:

"All test subjects report to the first floor lobby immediately for your next experiment."

Zero's unmistakable garbled voice goes silent afterwards. Once everyone gathers downstairs, they'll be treated to an unexpected sight: Zero standing in front of them in the flesh. Standing tall (at 5'4"...), they're donned in the same piece of clothing everyone remembers them in: a black raincoat (large and long enough that it covers their entire body, leaving no distinguishable features), a full facial gas mask, and matching black gloves. It seems as if Zero really dislikes showing skin...

"Today, you will be participating in a game of, what you may call, 'Bingo'. I believe most of you have participated in this before. The rules and explanations are on the back of the cards." An arm is raised to motion towards the paper cards scattered on the nearby table, then it falls again.

"Due to some... unfortunate events, I will monitor you in person. However, do not underestimate what will happen to you should you decide to cheat, escape, attack, or do anything that will break my rules. Your bracelets are still very functional and my cameras will continue to record every move you take, so I suggest that you refrain from doing anything foolish."

"Now begin."

BASIC INFO ✖ LET'S PLAY BINGO ✖ TURN-IN ✖ POST-EVENT

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"How could I forget exciting..." A little dry there. Well, it was exciting, let's be real.

He looked a little surprised. "He didn't tell you? I know Jake didn't seem all that shaken by it, but Jake's probably one of the more unflappable people here, so it's not really much of an indicator. I'm sure if it was really bad he would say something to you, Snake that is."

Heiji shook his head. "Nah. I'm sure he would if I asked, but... I kinda got distracted. I can tell if something's bothering him, though. So yeah, it probably wasn't that bad."

Yes, distracted by... things. "Hey Hershel? Are you interested in guys?"

"You should ask him next time you see him, then." Hershel said with a smile. "It'll probably be good for him to have someone to talk it over with, even if it isn't that bad. Getting a secondhand memory is rather strange."

Heiji. Hershel looked confused a moment before he realized what Heiji was asking and, shockingly, he turned a little red. "I- I don't know? Honestly I never thought about it much." Who has time for romance when you're British?? Or something. "I um, I suppose if they were someone I could fall in love with then yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well... I never thought about it, either. I just figured I liked girls, and that was it." That's how they got you, man. That's how they got you.

"But how would ya know if you liked them or if ya like liked them?" He turned to Hershel, clearly he had all the answers here, clearly he was some kind of British Dr. Love.

Apparently. Hershel just looked completely bamboozled, why was anyone asking him about this he's literally the worst person in the world for this sort of advice. He struggled for a moment with what to even say, what is love, etc. "Uh..."

"I don't really know if I could answer that, even if I had any idea how I felt. It's probably something you need to figure out yourself- you know, different for everyone." He paused. "I think... whatever the case is, you care about Snake so even if he's the only man in the world you could feel that way about it's as simple as that, you know?"

"Hmm..." Would Heiji accept this explanation. Would he find it compelling and filled with the truth of all relationships. Would he stop asking Hershel terrible questions.

"So if there was some pushy redheaded fella in here who was your age, you think you'd like to smooch him?"

...No.

Just see his icon. Why.

"Sometimes I regret telling you that..." At least he never told him Randall was a redhead, can you imagine. Unsurprisingly he looked distinctly uncomfortable. "I- Not right away, no, maybe if I developed feelings for him... I don't really see the point in kissing someone you don't care about."

... "Though how often Zero and Calhoun seem to make that happen..." Sigh.

"Don't worry," said Heiji, beaming at him. "Your secret's safe with me! Haven't told a single soul."

How reassuring...

"...You think they'd have to make the first move, though?"

"Well at least there's that..." He couldn't live with the shame, Jake and Alfendi would ruin his life.

He wondered if maybe the world would be merciful and Heiji would start talking about the weather, but instead the world is cruel and Hershel turns a little more red. "What? I- maybe?" The answer is yes, absolutely and it's pretty obvious. "I mean if- not that it'd be completely-"

Oh my god. "I never thought about it, that's what I mean. I suppose it would be nice not to be the one to take the leap there, though it isn't exactly fair to expect."

Heiji watched him a moment, a look of faint alarm on his face. "Hershel," he said. "You might be able to get a guy to do that, but you can't ask a girl to ask ya out. You gotta take her to a real nice place and tell her how ya feel."

Oh my god, can he get more red. Probably, give it time.

"Not every girl, and besides, I didn't say I wouldn't do it! Just..." He probably wouldn't do it. Thank god for strong willed cute girls like Claire Foley. He huffed a sigh. "It hardly matters, I'm fairly certain there's no one I feel that way about anyway."

Slowly... shaking his head. "Well, not right now. But what about when ya go off to university with all them cute college girls? Plus there's parties and school trips..."

So many opportunities for a date with destiny, Hershel Layton. SO MANY. "And then if you become a professor, I bet you could meet someone out in the field!"

Shockingly he looked flustered still. "Maybe I'll be busy with schoolwork!" Wow, that was weak. He sighed. "Honestly Heiji, I don't know how you do it- be as bold as you are, I mean."

Not that Heiji was screaming love confessions from rooftops but still... At least he did things??

"I ain't particularly... bold..." Except for maybe the recent spate of collecting scarlet letters. Heiji looked away, turning a little red himself.

"It's just normal, wanting to do stuff with someone ya like!"

CALHOUN HOUR - BINGO II

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject