EVERYONE'S TRUTH - BEGINNING

[vivariummods]

Since the second group's first Calhoun Hour, the mouse in question hasn't appeared in the warehouse for longer than 30 minutes at a time. He only arrives during the early mornings to tape a random fruit of the day (apples, oranges, and pears so far) before scurrying off with his wagon. He refuses to provide any sort of medical relief for any of the test subjects, and does nothing more but providing the bare minimum to survive. So, when Day 9 rolls around, three days since that faithful finger breaking/eye blinding experience, it's no different; Calhoun comes in, tapes up some bananas, then promptly leaves afterwards, all without a word. An hour after he leaves, though... The screen in the Greenhouse, up against the wall besides the entrance, finally comes to life for the first time. It flickers on and on, flashing brightly. At first, there's nothing but static. Soon enough, though, it stays a consistent green tint. A blinking cursor hovers at the bottom and stays there for a few seconds, before it begins to type. DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION TO YOURSELVES COME TO THE LOBBY AND GO THROUGH THE NEWLY OPENED DOOR I WILL MEET YOU THERE....... And it ends there...

Comments

[elliexir]

[ She tip-toes to properly get her head properly over the window. ]

Not scary, but just kind of dirty. [ Referring to the vent, but she turns around to look at the room she's in. ] Umm, there's not really a lot in here. There's a desk and a chair, but...

[ She walks over to the weird pedestal and looks it over. ]

Wait, this thing needs a key, like an old traditional kind. I think we can use one of the keys we found on this thing.

[1st_response_is_anger]

Go for it, kid! *Be the badass! Maria will patch you up if you get in trouble.*

[elliexir]

[ She fetches out the one key that she had (let's just say that she has it, handwave that nonsense), but before she actually puts it in... she looks past the window into the next room. ]

Hold up. The exact same thing is in that room too. Do I have to put the key in that too?

[ Does that mean she has to come out and go to that one after? Do they have to do it at the same time? What's the deal??? ]

[babel_hacker]

The exact same thing? Lemme check...

[Atsuro looks around and moves to the back.]

Like... the keyholder? Or this notice about turning off everything?

[elliexir]

The keyholder, I think? The one in my room has a place to put the key in and I think I can turn it off with it.

[ She looks around. ]

Don't see a notice or anything around here though.

[babel_hacker]

Hm... The notice here say to turn off everything at the same time.

[He looks over back at the large window.]

Let's try putting the key into one of the platforms and see what it does?

[toybombs]

[Oh nooo...]

Turn everything off at the same time... I-it's not going to fry her or anything if she does just one, is it?

[What a morbid thought.]

[elliexir]

[ Now that Rio said that... Ellie holds onto her left wrist, where it's still pretty badly burned from the last two times she got shocked. ]

... Yeah, I'd rather avoid that...

i live

[fushuuu]

[until now, kaidou has been happy to just watch and frown vaguely, but finally he pipes up, rubbing at his own wrist]

This place has never skimped on punishments. If it says the keys need to be turned at the same time, then you can count on a penalty if they aren't.

If you can't get to the other console, we'll have to find another way.

[toybombs]

B-but... if it's on the other side of the glass, then the only way to get there is--

[...Oh.

Oh no...]

[babel_hacker]

[Yeah.

Yeah, he knows where she's getting at.

Atsuro looks over at Rio.]

...Rio, can you go there?

[toybombs]

U-uuu...

[She looks around desperately, as though she may suddenly find a magical means of escape. But naturally, there is none.

When she finally realizes this, her head tips downwards and she holds out a shaky hand, presumably for the key. She really doesn't want to, but if it means leaving this awful place...]

[elliexir]

[ Ellie goes back to the window looking into the main room and tries the reassuring approach. ]

Hey, it's not going to be bad at all, Rio. I'm going to be right here in the room next to you, and it looks all good here! We'll stick it out together!

[babel_hacker]

[He gives Rio the key and, after a brief moment, place his hand on top of her head. Hopefully, it's reassuring enough.]

Yeah. You won't be alone over there. We just need to deal with this for a moment and we'll get out of here!

[fushuuu]

There's windows. So we'll still be in contact. It shouldn't take long.

[1st_response_is_anger]

We'll help your coordinate your efforts from here!

[toybombs]

[For the most part, the headpat just puts a stop to the 'uuuu'-ing. She still looks quite terrified, but if no one else can do it...

With an air of reluctance, she turns to the vent and climbs on up (potentially with the aid of an office chair). Here goes nothing...]

[vivariummods]

[ Rio will find that the vent leads exactly into the southeastern room, directly adjacent to the room Ellie currently is. Asides from the dust and occasional spider webs, she will have no problem getting through. Congrats? ]

[toybombs]

[So naturally she still finds a way to tumble right out in a somersault. Owww...

But, she's also quickly back on her feet, looking around dizzily for a moment before hurriedly running to the control panel. Okay, so she just needs to put in the key, right...?]

N-Now what?

[elliexir]

[ Ellie rushes over to the window connecting her room with Rio's. ]

Hey, you made it! See, nothing to worry about. [ More reassuring?? ] But I guess we just gotta put in the keys at the same time and turn?

[toybombs]

And then we turn everything off. Right?

[Uuuuu... But still, she gives a slightly determined nod. Or at least, about 30% determined against that 70% terrified.]

O-okay... I think I'm ready!

[Hopefully.]

[elliexir]

[ Ellie goes back to her little pedestal and gets her key ready. She puts it in the slot and looks over. ]

Okay! Then we turn right on the count of three, okay?

[ Do the honours of counting down, Rio? ]

[toybombs]

O-okay...

[DEEP BREATHS RIO, YOU CAN DO IT.]

Three... two... O-one!

[TUUUUUURN.]

[elliexir]

[ TURNING THIS THING AAAAAA ]

[vivariummods]

[ The keys turn smoothly and there is a small 'click' sound after doing so. However... nothing appears to happen. Asides from the newly turned keys, everything remains the same. ]

[ For a few seconds, at least. ]

[ Immediately, thunderous sirens blare throughout every single room. It's ear-piercing, to say the least, and would require anyone to yell in order to be heard. In addition, a loud scrapping noise accomplices the siren. The source of this sound? Large and heavy shutters coming down on every single window, vent, and door in the entire room. It cuts off the three rooms from each other, visually and audibly. In between the nonstop sirens and newly placed sound barriers, it will be impossible for the remaining group (Atsuro, Kaidou, and Maria), Rio, and Ellie to communicate between each other. ]

[ The screen on the computer changes slightly, now reading "LOCKDOWN MODE IN PROCESS - PLEASE ENTER PASSWORD". ]

[ What will you do, those of the remaining group? Examine the shutters? The console? The desks? Other? Whatever it is, better hurry before your eardrums get blown out. ]