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

[babel_hacker]

Rio?

[Yeah, what? He might as well say it.]

What do you mean...?

1/2

[toybombs]

Ah, sorry, it must be hard for you to hear!

[She cups her hands around her mouth and yells.]

There. Is. No. Escape. For. You!

2/2

[toybombs]

[And then... she smiles. But it isn't anything like her timid expressions from before.

It's downright sinister.]

After all... I'm the only one here with a key from Zero.

The robot was a surprise, but... from the start, the only person who could really make it out of here alive was me.

[elliexir]

[ What? What? It takes Ellie some time to just process what's going on here. There's no escape? A key from Zero? Making it out alive? These are all things she might have been able to accept from hearing from someone like that creepy clown from before but from Rio. No way, that's impossible. ]

Are you serious? [ There's confusion thick in this, but also pain from this sudden betrayal. ] Rio, what the hell are you saying? What's gotten into you?

[babel_hacker]

[His eyes widen as her words sink in, but he doesn't want to believe it. The smallest and seemingly the meekest of them have the key? There's no way out? His mind is making some connections, like the hidden conspiracy theorist he never remembers being.]

Rio... are you saying you're... [It's hard to say, but it must be harder for Ellie, who's been with Rio the longest.] You're not saying you're with those people, right? The ones who brought us here?

[fushuuu]

...You sold us out. Played us like idiots...

[he looks down, letting out a long, violent hiss of breath at the water pooling around his ankles. unconsciously he takes on an offensive stance]

How long? Were we your puppets from the beginning?

[toybombs]

[She shakes her head. No need to take credit for things she hadn't done.]

It was a form of defense. It's harder to bring yourself to kill someone so pathetic, right? But it also means your guard is down even if you tried. But Zero must have seen through it right away... He already knew who his best choice was for a role like this. But he also told me that now would be my last chance to say my good-byes.

[Speaking of... She looks to Kaidou.]

That reminds me! It was so nice of you to just tap me during that stupid "Calhoun Hour." Not that I was really worried about getting hurt, but you're actually a very chivalrous person, aren't you?

[She taps lightly on her cheek. Bless you, Kaidou.]

And I really couldn't have gotten here without you, Ellie. You were always so kind, making sure I was safe and sound no matter what.

So, you won't mind if I go on ahead, right? I'm sure Zero has taken care of that robot by now. All I need to do now is reach the number 9 door and make my escape!

[elliexir]

[ Ellie can't believe what she's hearing right now. Her confusion remains but it quickly channels into anger. If there's one thing about Ellie, she'll say what's on her mind and be easy to call out on shit she doesn't agree with. ]

If you got the key, then help us out already! Don't give us that whole "last chance to say my goodbyes" bullshit when we're right here!

[fushuuu]

She'd rather have us drown.

[Kaidou's tone is especially low and growling, jaw tight as his clenched fists. It's not that he felt especially close to Rio or any of them, but...if nothing else, they'd seemed to be a team, and...you're just not supposed to do wrong by your team. It cuts closer to the quick than he expects, and he grinds his teeth because none of that matters.]

Hell of a way to pay back friendship.

[babel_hacker]

Is this the kind of person you are?

[Atsuro wants to be optimistic. Like maybe she was threatened. But this cuts deep into him.]

That you'll let people drown if it means you'll live? At least help us get up there!

[1st_response_is_anger]

Oh well that's just great. We get screwed over by a robot and now by you, Rio! *Fuck this game, fuck Zero, she knew it couldn't be that easy at all.*

I hope that key breaks! *Because if they need to pick a lock, one of the best things they have is the scalpel sitting in Maria's pocket.*

C'mon guys. You need to get up there and kick her ass. *Do you need the bottom of a human ladder? Because Maria will grit her teeth and be the base.*

[toybombs]

I don't remember ever owing you anything. You all chose to work together - and I chose to do what it takes to live.

[At Maria's words, she holds a fingers to her lips.]

Sorry, but only one person can go through. Those are the rules. You're free to try to pick this electric lock once I'm gone, though.

[Speaking of, it's probably about time to wrap this up. She gives one last wave as she turns towards the door.]

It's nothing personal. I really do appreciate all that help. I'll be sure to survive no matter what, so your sacrifices won't be in vain.

Enjoy your little swim!

[And taps her bracelet against the reader.]

[vivariummods]

[ The light on the electronic light goes from right to green with a small beep, and the door slides open. It will only remain open until someone goes through. ]

[elliexir]

[ At the sight of the door opening, Ellie starts to look around and back to their little chest. She is going to start fucking climbing that as quickly as possible, even if she can't reach the balcony with her height, even with the help from the chest. ]

You chickenshit!

[babel_hacker]

Rio, wait! Stop!

[He quickly notice Ellie's actions and climbed onto the chest as well.]

Ellie, climb on me or something! S-Stop her!

[elliexir]

Got it!

[ Ellie is way too much in a rush to really be considerate of how she climbs onto Atsuro. Probably just stepping all over him in a panicked effort to get to the balcony, which she may or may not reach. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT STEPPING THROUGH THAT DOOR, RIO, ELLIE IS GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS FIRST ]

[toybombs]

[Aw, Ellie, do you really think you can beat her to the door here? She always was quick when she wanted to be.

Sticking out her tongue in a highly mature gesture, she slips through the door. It was nice knowing you guys!]

[elliexir]

Rio!

[ Ellie makes it way too late, as by the time she gets onto the balcony, the door shuts closed. So, instead, she bangs on the door with her fists. ]

Dammit! Rio!!

[ Okay, she might be at this for a bit. In the meanwhile, the water is getting quite high up now. Might be a good time to look for an exit. ]

[babel_hacker]

[Maybe it's time to look for another exit. But first--]

Dammit!

[He gotta get it out of his system quickly. Atsuro quickly looks around, before looking at everyone that's left in here.]

Shit... we should find another way out or... or something!

[elliexir]

[ Ellie pounds on the door a few more times before deciding that yes, it isn't going to open anymore. She lets out a small yell of frustration then takes in a deep breath, trying to calm down. ]

Right... Right, got it, but where do we go? Back to the door we came from?

[ She looks down the balcony and the water does seem to be raising enough that it would come up at least waist-level so that seems... risky. ]

[fushuuu]

[doesn't seem to look any happier at being shorts-deep in water of dubious clarity; once rio opened the door, kaidou didn't wait to look but instead sploshed back over to the pumps they'd opened, attempting to close them so there'd at least be less flooding--to no avail; none of them move an inch, not even a millimeter.]

If you've got some magic way to open it, better use it quick. The water's not turning off and the lock'll be underwater in a minute.

[probably under a minute, even...]

[babel_hacker]

It'd be a waste of time to mess with it if we don't know how to unlock it.

[Atsuro's pretty sure he saw some wooden planks floating in the water from the corner of the room. Which is basically telling him that "the room is flooding, bro".]

Alright. [Mostly say to calm his own nerves.] Let's quickly search around and give a yell if we find a lead.

[fushuuu]

[Nodding, Kaidou splashes off towards the big machine with the valves and the screen, but repeated messing around with it does nothing to stop the screen from flashing an angry red.]

Can you force that door open on the ledge or something? Or if there's a vent somewhere...

[babel_hacker]

A vent?

[Atsuro looks around quickly, moving through the rising water as he go. The higher the water get, the harder it'd be to move fast. There should be a vent somewhere, at least for ventilation. This wall is a no go, and this one, and--]

--There's a vent, but it's very high up!

[Like about... 15 feet up?]