vivarium | CALHOUN HOUR - Get ready to party!

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CALHOUN HOUR - Get ready to party!

Every third day, there would normally be an Ambidex Round going on, but today, it's different. Calhoun still screeches for everyone to wake up, that will never change, but instead of trying to rush people into a Chromatic Door, he instead splits everyone up into groups.

Child Test Subject (Kariya) with Fancy Test Subject (Zelos)! That's Team One.

Team Two will have the Nice Test Subject (Hershel), Hat-wearing Test Subject (Akiko), and Ditzy Test Subject (Aoi)!

Team Three is the Giant Test Subject (Jake), Also Nice Test Subject (Colette), and the Blind Test Subject (Light)!

Finally, the rest will be Team Four, with Tiny Test Subject (Clive), Mean Test Subject (Heiji), and Will-Gladly-Drug-Again Test Subject (Ema).

Oh, why is Team One having only two people instead of three? Where is the French Test Subject (Enjorlas)? Well, he got sick too, there must be something going around, so he was also quarantined for this moment, but don't worry, Team One! Calhoun has something up his sleeves for you, so you're not missing out.

But anyway, each team needs to go into an AB Room and stay in there. This is going to be a fun game, and anyone who refuses? Well, then he can gladly make those bracelets go off, and then you can have a nice long death. It's up to you, really, but let's make this easy and have fun inside the rooms, okay?

Well, he'll see you all soon!

BASIC INFO ✖ TEAMS + ROOMS ✖ POST-GAME MINGLE ✖ CALHOUN'S CORNER ✖ GENERAL MINGLE

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thanks, Hershel, you're a pal. Heiji clapped him on the back. "I knew it! Maybe you were even captain of the team. I think you'd look good in a fencing uniform."

Though how on earth Hershel managed to fit that magnificent mane in there was anyone's guess. "Speakin' of which, does that mean you're still in high school? Cause Clive just told me he was in his twenties."

And man oh man was that ever a shock.

Anything to help with your shoujo manga crush, dude. Hershel looked a little sheepish but still pleased. "I'm not sure I was that good, but maybe. I um, I also remembered my father, even if he was just in the stands. It's nice to know what he looks like."

That's actually the greatest puzzle the Layton series has ever known. "I'm not sure, in the memory my body seemed the same, though it's kind of hard to tell. I'm fairly certain if I'm not in highschool I'm at least fresh out of it, so anywhere between fifteen to eighteen." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I'm thinking sixteen or seventeen feel the closest... I get the feeling you, Akiko and I are about the same age, maybe Colette too. I wonder why Zero keeps going for so many teenagers."

And then he looked surprised, for a very different reason. "Oh, really? I assumed he was, I guess just from the memory I got he seemed older." He glanced over to wherever Clive was, looking curious. "... I suppose he does look more like a highschooler." And have a pause before Hershel looked back to Heiji a bit more solemnly. "Have you spoken to him lately? How is he doing?"

"Hey, that ain't bad! Maybe he even taught you how to fence. You see your mom or anyone else there? I bet you'd be a good older brother type." Granted, any younger siblings might end up walking all over their brother's good intentions, but...

"And Clive seems fine to me. A little down about his missing beer, but still nursin' that grudge like always." Unlike Clive, Heiji rarely stayed angry for long, so the sheer power and stamina of Clive's continuing hateboner for Hershel was a little awe-inspiring. "Didn't look like he was fainting from hunger, either, so I think he's getting by okay."

Heiji lowered his breath to a conspiratorial whisper. "Say, uh... kinda off topic, but... you wouldn't happen to have any spare coins, would you?"

"Maybe he did- and no. I had a friend come up to talk after the match but I didn't get to see his face because our masks were still on." Hershel answered. "Though maybe he was a sibling... it's so strange to think of things like that, isn't it? You or I could be only children or have more siblings than we know what to do with." Heiji would probably be way better at getting kids to listen though, he somehow got a certain kid detective who will not be named to occasionally.

Hershel looked relieved to hear that, more the Clive doing fine than his continued hateboner. "I'm glad he's okay right now, he must be running out of food soon though. I wonder if Calhoun would be willing to give him some if things got bad." He did not sound hopeful at all about that, shockingly.

Oh, whispering time, Hershel nodded, giving Heiji a concerned look. "Of course, I have thirty left if you need it, did you not do well with coins?"

"I kinda doubt it. But can't we just sneak him some food out of the cafeteria, now that we got access to it?" Sure, it was a little against the rules, but who was going to know, right? Right? "Besides, the way I see it, we'd be doing Zero a favor. Can't have an experiment when your test subjects are too hungry to move."

Heiji had the decency to look a little embarrassed. "Well, not exactly... see, I got together enough coins for a shinai. But I didn't have any left over for a toothbrush..."

PRIORITIES.

"I've been wondering about that- I'm a little afraid Zero and Calhoun would consider it breaking a major rule and well..." You know, murder whoever did it with drugs. He sighed. "Hopefully it won't come to that, if it does at least there are options."

And Hershel stared at him for a beat before his brow furrowed. "Heiji, you bought a shinai before necessities? I understand wanting one and being tempted but really, you should think of your basic needs first!" Nag nag nag sorry he's a motherhen sometimes. "Sometimes you guys and your priorities really concern me... well, I'll buy you a toothbrush and toothpaste- I'm going to get shampoo too, so we can share that if you'd like. As long as we're careful it should last for a while."

... "So you got a shinai?" He's trying not to look extremely interested about this, he's supposed to be scolding...

"For givin' a few lumps of mystery meat to someone? That's pretty ridiculous, even for them." Clearly if Heiji was ruining this place, okonomiyaki and scones and tea for everyone!

"Well, yeah, I mean... I was really excited seein' one there, and -- wait. 'You guys'?" What was there someone out there with priorities as questionable as Heiji's?!

"That's true... and it hasn't really been stated that we can't bring food out." Still, it made Hershel nervous. Calhoun was more than happy to drug Ema for kicks, who knew how far he'd be willing to go to make a point.

And he sighed. "Yes, Ema was considering saving coins just for those... snackaronis? Instead of buying what she really needed, and don't get me started on how ridiculous Jake can be." He doesn't even know about the stabbing yet, or that'd be a whole new can of worms. "Well, at least a shinai will be less dangerous than a shovel."

He considered for a moment before smiling. "When my arm gets better would you teach me more kendo? If it's not too much trouble."

~~Ema's reputation would soon pass into legend~~

Heiji laughed. "Of course! I gotta see how you turn out, after all! Course, it's a whole different kind of fencing from the one you're used to. In the meantime, we can just work on footwork. Er, well, I guess you can work on footwork and I'll just have to take it easy on that for a little while."

Curse you, leg wounds!

Wait until they find out that she stabbed Jake for coins and Jake went along. The gossip is going to go insane.

"Thank you Heiji, I really appreciate it. It'll be interesting to see how different the styles are, I have to say I'm pretty excited to see." What a nerd. "I should start saving a little here and there for a foil too." Though now he was going to have like five coins left so... it'd be a long wait. The dream.

"Oh, that reminds me, how's your leg doing?"

"Yeah?" Heiji brightened at once (yesss a foil that would be great). "Then I'll help ya save up for it, too! Er, y'know, when I get some more coins..."

He scuffed the ground a little with one foot. "Eh, it ain't bad. I figure if it was going to get infected, it would've by now. I'm bein' careful with the dressing, but the scab's already starting to itch. I bet in a few days it's gonna be driving me crazy! What about your arm, huh?"

Hershel shook his head, amused. "You don't need to worry about that, save your coins for when you need them. Actually just give me a second, hold that thought."

And he's going to run off to go buy the shit and come back after a few minutes, holding out a toothbrush and toothpaste. "Here you go- I hope you don't mind blue." At least it wasn't MURDERRRR red. "What were we- oh, my arm's doing well enough, I'm a bit worried I'll forget it, do something strenuous and reopen it."

Such was the high action life they led. He glanced down at the shampoo he also bought, popping the cap open and- "... it smells like apples?"

Heiji leaned forward and sniffed at the shampoo. "Hey, you're right. What, are they trying to make us hungrier or something?"

Not that he could complain too much as long as he could get a little cleaner. "We could always put your arm in a sling, but that might be more inconvenient than just leavin' it like it is. Say, you get a chance to meet all the new arrivals?"

"I guess it could be a worse smell." Hershel shook his head, closing the cap. "Let me know if you'd like to use it anytime, at least your hair looks pretty manageable." Aren't you lucky...

"If I open it again maybe- and most of them. I haven't met um... Enjolras?" He probably pronounced that wrong. "I've met Kariya briefly when he first came out of the elevator, and I showed Colette and Akiko around a bit. Actually Akiko and I got to play a few of those terrible games in the lounge, she's quite fun." He smiled, it was fun and Akiko's cool, ok. "What do you think of them all?"

"Sure, but I'll probably just keep using the soap. It should be good enough, right?" Because Heiji was a dude who did not understand the importance of shampoo, and also because Hershel probably needed it more. Looking forward to seeing those lovely blow-dried locks, bro. "We stay in here much longer, though, and we're gonna start needing haircuts."

"No one I've talked to has seen that Enjolras fella at all. He must've gotten sick right off the bat. Let's see, as for the others... Colette's a real peach, and Akiko's a good kid. As for Kariya, I ain't really sure."

He crossed his arms, frowning a little before he started speaking again. "I started talkin' to him about kendo and he started glaring at me and asking if I could beat someone up with a shinai. So I said that if ya wanted to, you could beat up someone with your bare hands, but that ain't the point of kendo. Then he gets kind of hot under the collar -- wants to know if I could hurt someone in here if I had to. Like if a shinai was a toy, or a real weapon."

Everything will smell like apple wherever he goes. "It's almost been two weeks, I really wonder how long this can go on." He shook his head and decided to focus on the important stuff. "Do you think this guy caught whatever Mr. Kaguragi has? I wish Calhoun would give us some details about what's going on, he just keeps throwing around the word 'quarantine.'"

Hershel blinked at that description of their conversation, frowning a moment after. "Do you think he was afraid you could hurt him now that you had it? I guess that's understandable, being panicked given the situation. If that is the case he might just need some time to get a feeling for everyone."

Heiji sighed. "That's what I was thinking, but we got no way to confirm for sure. Well, it's not like this place ever really seemed sanitary, but... we should look out for symptoms."

He shook his head. "Nah, see, that's what I thought at first. So I tried reassurin' him, and he made it pretty clear that's not what he meant at all. I think what he was gettin' at was that he wanted insurance against other people in the group. Or Zero, I guess, but considering he's got us all on a lead already, I'd say that horse has already left the barn."

Heiji motioned with one hand. "Instant I say yes, he starts actin' all sweet and talking about cooperating. Said something about not being able to afford stuff by himself and so on -- only I saw his score, and he ended up with more coins than I did.

"He offered to lend me some coins if I paid him back later, and I couldn't see a reason to refuse, only..." He trailed off for a moment. "I don't know. Guess I'd rather have someone be a real jerk to me out in the open than pretend to be nice to my face."

"Do we have any idea what they are? I think Mr. Kaguragi was feverish when Calhoun took him away." Hershel crossed his arms. "When either he or Enjolras come back we'll have to ask them."

He stayed quiet as he listened to Heiji's account, brow furrowing. He could definitely understand a kid wanted protection, still, it was a dangerous way of thinking for any of them. "I'm worried... he seems so young, if he's just scared, looking for some protection and acting this way- it could be really dangerous for him. If he rubs someone the wrong way and loses their trust, or if he gets something from a puzzle room to protect himself and uses it in a panic..."

"Things could get really difficult for him, and we all need to work together to get out of here." He sighed. "I can't disagree with you though, honesty is really the best policy in our situation. Trust is worth too much to lose it to something silly like a lie."

"Supposedly -- and I'm going based on what Aoi said, since she was one of the ones who spent the most time with him -- there was almost nothing. It had to have had a really sudden onset. When I saw him last, he was burnin' up. He was out, too, but maybe that's not as surprising."

Heiji crossed his arms, looking a little skeptical. "Yeah, 'specially one as transparent as that. You're right that we still got to try and work together, though." Even when it came to people he didn't particularly like, he did try and behave. Mostly. Sometimes he required a little nudge.

"I wonder if Calhoun will give us an update on how he's doing." Hershel sighed, obviously not that hopeful for straight answers or any answer really. "It's been a few days now, there should be some sort of news."

Just a small, little nudge. Just a tiny bit. Hershel offered Heiji a smile. "You know, I don't think I ever asked you of your opinion of everyone here, aside from the new people now." Have a pause. "And Ema. What do you think of everyone now?"

Heiji began to move down the list of the participants in the Nonary Game.

Light: "Well, what can I say about Light? He's the guy I woke up with in that first elevator room. Considering he can't see, he's pretty good at solving those puzzles. Had to do some convincin' to let me vote Ally that first time, but he was just trying to look out for us. Seems like he might've spent some time in Seattle, maybe going on a date at the Space Needle. He's a little prickly, but he's a good guy."

Clive: "He seems pretty decent, but man, talk about salting the earth. Well, it's not like I don't kinda understand how he feels. But he really doesn't trust too many people. I found out he was 23 -- but then why's he dressed like that? Was he writing an expose on high schools or somethin'? Anyway, I told him not to play it too tough if he got really hungry, so I hope he listens. He seems good at thinkin' on his feet. He and Kotetsu were pretty close. Oh yeah, and he's big on being clean."

Jake: "He likes you a lot, but he's still a mystery to me. It's like ya barely hear him put two sentences together and then he's smashin' something. Dunno why Zero kidnapped him if the point is to do puzzles; it's kinda like putting a bull in a china shop and wondering how come your porcelein's all busted. Real pessimist, kind of a downer. I figure something had to happen to make him like that, but who knows what?"

Zelos: "After that last round, this guy was struttin' around like a peacock and looking twice as proud. He kinda does that anyway, though. When it comes to rubbing things in... I guess he's a little like me. But in any case, he seems to know what's up. He wasn't a slouch at those Incinerator room puzzles, either. Ain't seen him go head to head with anyone so far, but maybe he's keepin' his head down for now."

Aoi: "She's a pretty sweet gal, but maybe a little too trusting. Not saying we have to be suspicious, exactly, just... careful. Anyway, she said she's not that great at puzzles, but she managed to get out of that elevator by herself. She was real upset when Kotetsu got wheeled off. I'd say she was pretty big on being clean, too, but that's pretty normal for a girl. Noticed she went for the shampoo, but it's pretty obvious she wanted something else."

Heiji: "From what I've been able to piece together, I got knocked out as a kid, shot at least four times, stabbed at least once, and I know all kinds of stuff about rigor mortis and experiments and hadron colliders. Also, I probably grew up in Osaka and I'm into kendo. Couple of people told me I might be involved with law enforcement, but a lot of that would sound just right in a criminal background, too."

Hershel listened to Heiji's memoirs, nodding along or making faces at certain points but staying quiet so Heiji could say his piece.Nothing he said contradicting anything Hershel thought, and a few of the people, Zelos and Light in particular, he felt he learned a little more about since he hadn't had too much chance to speak with them.

There were a few things he could comment on in the small pause, but one comment in particular surprised him. "Do you really think you could be a criminal? I sincerely doubt that, Heiji, though I suppose I see the logic." He frowned, crossing his arms. "But a mystery isn't all the clues, right? The heart of the matter or the motive, that's just as important, and you've been nothing but kind to everyone."

"I guess you could argue that's an act, but you had no reason to let me pick ally last round, and you still did. Just um-" He trailed off a bit, realizing with a sheepish expression he was beginning to go on a tangent. "-just I don't think you're a criminal, is all."

Heiji laughed; he was sort of pleased by Hershel's defense. "Nah, not really. Just threw that in there to see if you were listening." Watch out, Hershel! He could be the next Moriarity!

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Ain't heard what you think of everyone so far, though." Clearly, Hershel wasn't going to get out of this without voicing some thoughts of his own.

Hershel gave Heiji, clearly the next greatest criminal mastermind in the world, a long suffering look for that. "In that case you should have given me a test at the end." He said, bemused.

"Ah, well..." He paused and considered, time for another long comment enjoy this. "You, Ema and Jake are the ones I've spent the most time with now- Akiko too, to an extent, even though she's new. Ema's a good person, I think she's a little... well, she enjoys poking fun, but her heart is definitely in the right place. She seems to care a lot that people are suffering here, even if she doesn't want to show it." ... "Ah, don't tell her I said that." She was still a scary thug, that Ema. "But um, I guess what I'm saying is I trust her."

"Jake is- well, Jake." How did one explain this man. Hershel had to sigh. "I don't really understand him, but I trust him to keep his word. I'm honestly really worried for him, I know he betrayed Clive and tends to be rough around the edges but he didn't do it to be cruel, I'm sure of that. He's in a really bad position now, he's not willing to trust the others and they don't seem to want to trust him." He glanced at Heiji. "Jake isn't a bad person either, I know it may sound naive but he's more than capable of kindness without reward I think, he's just... distrusting. I don't want him to become everyone enemy just so the group has a common foe besides Zero, and that could easily happen, so I guess... that's why I want to give him as much chance as possible."

"I don't know much about Zelos, but he was kind to me after Clive's betrayal when he didn't need to be. It would have been pretty easy to not listen to me at all but he was willing to." He considered for a moment. "He seems so calm about everything, being so composed in a situation like this is really impressive. I get the feeling he's not saying a lot of what he's feeling, I'm sure none of us are to an extent, and I can't blame him for that."

"Light's been kind as well, though he feels ah... what's the word I'm looking for, guarded, I suppose? He seems to trust you though, Heiji, at least more than anyone else around, because you've proven yourself to him. I think Light's probably a very pragmatic person, so he pays close attention to the position he's in and what weaknesses he thinks he has." He looked a little embarrassed. "Of course that's all just guesswork, I may be way off base. I'd trust him to keep his word though, he doesn't seem like the type not to."

Are you happy YOU asked yet, Heiji? "As for Aoi, I agree with what you've said. I haven't had a lot of chance to speak with her, this game we just played is probably the longest we've spoken. She seems like a normal teenage girl, if not a little- well, rambunctious, if that makes sense. She seems to think with her heart a lot, which isn't a bad thing really, but I worry it might come back to bite her if anyone tries to trick her. I'm glad Clive's close with her, they seem like they'd be a good pair to look out for each other."

Speaking of precious Clive... "Clive... I think we were friends outside of this. I doubt he'd believe me now, I tried not to say too much about it to him when I told him the basics of the memory I got about him, but-" He sighed, rubbing his arm. "I know he's a good person, he helped me in that memory when he had no reason to be anything other than professionally polite. I guess he's quick to lose trust though- I can't blame him, I should have hit ally when I realized Jake wouldn't budge."

And WHEW he glanced over to Heiji, looking a little awkward for talking so damned much. "That's um, that's about it, I think. I don't know Mr. Kaguragi well, and I've already told you what I think of the new people mostly. Sorry for taking so long- oh, what do you think of Ema now? She was your um... nurse." Trying not to look amused.

Well... to be fair, anything was a possibility. Even Heiji's criminal mastermind status. Who knew, maybe his parents had died shortly after his one memory, leaving him embittered and vengeful enough to pretend to go deep undercover to pursue RETRIBUTION.

Heiji raised his index finger in the air. "Well, it ain't like Jake's a bad person, far as I can tell... he's just got a really bad attitude. Y'know, like he's a delinquent in his late thirties or somethin'. Light really is great, though. Kinda gets to yelling when he's mad, and he likes poking fun at people... but he really does care about people deep down."

"As for Ema... well, she knows her first aid, and she ain't squeamish. I'd say she was a pretty tough cookie. Maybe a little too tough." Look, all Heiji had done was called her an older woman, okay? And SHE WAS. OLDER THAN HEIJI. The injustice!!

"I figure she's one of those crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside types. Like those chocolates that come in gold foil."

CALHOUN HOUR - Get ready to party!

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get ready because words words words

heiji you do not disappoint.

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