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

Haha, gross. [alfendi wipes his cheek with the sleeve of his sweater, completely ruining the moment. but he does seem a little lighter, if only because he's clearing some kind of air with hershel. whatever air that may be.

he's generally not one to apologize for his actions, but he does realize he's been in the wrong by shutting hershel out so much. he's not exactly sure how to go about fixing that, but maybe the easiest thing to do for now would be to just let his guard down a little more and tell him what he's thinking. even if it means casually dropping a bombshell on him without warning.]

I'm sorry if it's been... difficult, either dealing with me or dealing with this place on your own. I'm not sure how to make it up to you but - I've been thinking that it's time for us to make our way out of here.

I realize that it has proved far more beneficial for us to ally with our opponents, given the familiarity and relationships we all have with each other, but I feel we should start taking more risks when it comes to voting. We need to accumulate as much BP as we possibly can, Hershel. We can't stay here any longer.

[he rolls his eyes at that, cooties or whatever gross, but yeah, that's some serious stuff to talk about. he frowns but nods.]

I know, it's been too long. The longer this goes on the less chance we have. [of what? surviving, but he's not saying that flat out.] But do you really think if we got enough BP it wouldn't just be another trap? Honestly I don't think it would make sense for Zero to let any of us go, regardless of what he says. He could kill whoever goes through that door and no one inside would ever know the difference.

[he sighs, this. just. blows.] I think the only way we can guarantee a chance of getting out is by finding a way out ourselves.

And how are we supposed to do that? Form an uprising? If Zero can kill us as soon as we go through that door, why wouldn't he kill us as soon as we start sniffing around for a weak spot in his defenses?

[alfendi exhales in frustration. he realizes, logically, that the only way to win zero's game is to not play at all. after all, that's how these things always work. as a member of the police force, he should have better control of his emotions than this. but. haha. alfendi. emotions.]

I just want to get you out of here before one of us ends up killed. Zero has every opportunity to take us out, and if I have to choose between trusting his word or living in fear, I think trusting his word might be easier. Even if I end up dead, it's better than not trying at all.

I don't know but there must be a way. [wow that doesn't sound naive at all.] We're already starting to see cracks in the system, Calhoun wasn't infallible, Zero lost control of the facility- there must be something we're missing.

Besides, what about the others? We can't leave them here, not after all this. [not liking that 'even if i end up dead' bit. he grabs alfendi's sleeve, looking earnest.] Alfendi, no matter what happens please promise me you'll be careful, alright? You need to take care of yourself.

After sustaining enough injuries to be consequently wheeled out of this place, I'd say I've learned the importance of taking care of myself. But if I play Zero's game he way he wants us to play it, then - if I can get out of here, and if I have connections with the law, as you said I did, I'll be able to contribute to whatever rescue mission is out there trying to track us down. I'm not saying there aren't cracks in the system, I'm just saying pursuing a high BP count might be worth considering.

[he's not even sure why he's trying to argue with hershel about this. he knows full well that it isn't going to go anywhere. he's just trying to be more honest and it's coming across as aggressive and condescending. he takes a steady breath to calm himself down.]

Look, nevermind - I'm certainly not going to try to rock the boat before I'm fully recovered. I just wanted to tell you how I've been feeling.

Well, maybe you do have a point. [he's not entirely convinced zero won't just murder him a second out that door but alfendi wasn't exactly wrong here.] It's just- you want to possibly betray some of the others, is that what you meant before? That could be just as dangerous as playing around with Zero.

[this is clearly one of those things they're probably not going to come to an agreement on anyway, so he doormats and just nods.]

I'm glad you did. Um... communication is important. [really. he looks disgusted with himself even at that.] You know what I mean.

It's just... worth discussing. I don't know. I still need to think about it. Maybe we can talk it over with the others - come up with a plan. Maybe someone could get a free pass to betray whoever they're up against, and they can... see what happens when they're out. I don't know. It's worth discussing.

[he's all over the place with this, and he realizes how disjointed his argument must be. he wants to get out of here, he wants hershel to get out of here, he wants this to be over already. but it doesn't matter. they can discuss this another time.]

Anyway... let's just leave it for now. I'm sorry for throwing that on you, even if, uh. [He manages a smile.] Communication is important. Do you have any other spaces on your card to fill?

That's true, maybe the others would agree to that. [It was better than most of the plans they had, which were none.] They might listen now that BP's high again.

[except for the idiot laytons.]

Oh, quiet. [it is important fuck you man. he glances at his card.] I only have fight- I'm not going to fight with you, so you know, not in the state you're in. Maybe I'll ask Heiji to spar... [he shakes his head.] What about you? I don't mind doing anything again if it will help.

[alfendi nods, but he lets the conversation drop. there's a lot he could say, mostly i don't even want to involve anyone else tbh i just want to demand they get betrayed by me, but. yeah. not the time.]

Please. Every limb I have could be dangling by a thread and you still wouldn't stand a chance in a fight against me. [twonk. he looks at his card.]

... Would you be up for sharing memories with me? I'm sure there are some things we could discuss. I can think of a few things on my side, at least.

[insulting, though hershel isn't going to argue that. alfendi probably fights dirty.] That's why you probably shouldn't fight anyone, unless it's an argument, I suppose. That would work, right?

[he nods, nothing wrong with that and frankly he was kind of interested in hearing anything of alfendi's.] I wouldn't mind- are you sure? You seemed rather closed lip about them before.

CALHOUN HOUR - BINGO II

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