THE HEART OF THE MATTER

[vivariummods]

Sometime early in the morning (or at least what feels like it, considering that there aren’t any clocks around), Calhoun will scream into a megaphone to wake everyone up. He won’t explain what’s going on, but he will say that he has a surprise for everyone. What is it? Well, they won’t know until they get up! So, everyone line up by the hallway’s door! He’ll be calling everyone into a “☆ SECRET ROOM ☆” one by one, and spending a few minutes with them. In this room, it’ll be nothing but a table, two chairs, a metal cabinet, and a lone lightbulb hanging from the ceiling. Anyone who’s seen enough cop shows will notice that this is an interrogation room. Granted, there’s a sleeping pod in the corner of the room (rather similar to the same device that returns memories) and this room is a pretty fictional interrogation room as the real things aren't so hardboiled, but Calhoun is a fan of cop dramas and he only has so much power, so this is what he went for. Anyway, in here, Calhoun will do one of two things: 1) Reveal an unpleasant secret about them. Of course, it might sound fictional at first, but then he’ll go into his little cabinet and pull out a folder to back up his claims. These reports don’t look fake, and well, just think of what the others might think if they heard of this. Sure, you can deny it all you want, but what about your fellow test subjects? How can they ever see you in the same light again? Even if you attempt to convince them otherwise, this will forever linger in the back of their minds. They might even start turning against you, and while Calhoun’s a pretty nice mouse, he can’t do anything to stop you silly test subjects from doing something dramatic. 2) Grant them the fragment of a memory. What a kind mouse Calhoun is being, giving you a freebie! They’ll be placed in a pod, as per the usual, and given part of a memory. The problem is this freebie cuts off at the worst possible time, and any begging, threats or inquiries into the matter are only going to be met by Calhoun’s snickers. It would be awful if something happened and you could never find out if your dear friend Timmy ever got out of that well, right? A real tragedy. Oh well, too bad for you, buddy. Once Calhoun has called everyone one by one into this “☆ SECRET ROOM ☆” of his, he will gather all the test subjects up, stand on counter of Calhoun’s Corner and make an announcement. “Listen up, test subjects! While yesterday’s round of Bingo was all fun and games, it’s time to spice things up around here! This is starting to get really bland, like oatmeal bland, and my Master has given me the go ahead to shake things up.” “Some of you, I've told you a dark, spooky secret, while for the rest, I've shown you a little memory! Who got what, though, no one knows! But you know who you are and you know what you have to lose.” “So what was the point of all this? Welllllll, like I've said, it’s so boring here, that I’m giving you the chance to redeem yourselves of this sinful dullness. How, you wonder?” “Give me a show.” “I think you all know me well by now, what entertains me and what I like to see. So, give me the performance of a lifetime by the end of the next AB Voting round! Of course sooner is better, because you never know if I’m gonna like these plans of yours, but go ahead, take your time! I mean it’s not like there’s much I can do, excepppppt…” “I can just reveal those little secrets of yours to everyone! Don’t think you can just shrug it off as something I've made up too. I’ll spread out those reports and all the evidence for everyone to see, and we’ll see how long it takes for them to turn on you.” “And those with a memory, don’t sigh in relief, because you’re not safe either! I’ll ensure that you will never get the rest of that memory I showed you. You can wonder for the rest of your lives what really happened. If you think it’ll be as simple as just asking around when you get out, think again. You’ll never know the whole truth unless you remember it yourself, since this mouse can get his paws in the outside world’s evidence.” “What if one of you manages to entertain me? Well, not only will you get your full memory back, but everyone’s memories and secrets will be safe! They won’t be getting anything back, but maybe one day, and you’re the one who did all the work, those ungrateful cads!” “Well, I think that’s about it. Toodles! You know where to find me if you have any questions or love letters for me.” He winks at the crowd (looking at you, Zelos), then hops off the counter, back into the safety of his shop.

Comments

BASIC INFO

[vivariummods]

✖ This is a mandatory event. Please at least tag into this post, and please understand that if nothing happens, Calhoun will carry through with his threats.

✖ This event will last 9 OOC days and 3 IC days. Your deadline to complete your “show” is on August 25 at 11:59PM EST, which is the end of Day 18.

✖ Characters are allowed to do more than one attempt at a performance.

✖ The sooner the better for these performances, as Calhoun will be judging these and will likely take an IC day to think about it.

✖ Please put all your attempts to entertain Calhoun under the ATTEMPTS thread, as we do not want to clutter up the community with posts. This thread will last throughout the whole time period of this event.

✖ If you have any questions? Ask and we will try to get back to you asap.

MINGLE

[vivariummods]

[ The news have been dropped, so what are you characters going to do? Are they going to walk away? Are they going to discuss? Are they going to begin making plans with other characters? ]

[ This thread is for all 6 IC days, so please just mention which IC day it is in your subject when you tag. ]

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji leaned heavily against a nearby wall in what was almost a stagger. He was uncharacteristically quiet as the explanation was issued, seemingly focusing not on Calhoun, but on a random spot on the floor.

He did hear the words Calhoun was saying, but his thoughts were whirling far too quickly to really process them.

If he could trust this new memory of his, did that mean he'd killed someone...?

[puzzlinglad]

A while later, probably a few hours after that dramatic announcement and all the fun of that morning, Hershel went looking for Heiji. The truth was he was worried, there were quite a few people he trusted and liked in the game but Heiji was one of the highest up there. Maybe it was his attitude, maybe it was how he let Hershel pick ally that round- regardless, once he calmed down Heiji was one of the people he wanted to check in on immediately.

When he did find him he walked up slowly, still feeling pretty shaken about everything but much calmer now that he forced himself to relax and focus on something else. "Heiji, how are you doing?" He asked as he approached, trying not to nervously pick at his sleeve just for something to do with his hands.

Later on Day 17

[blind_badass]

*Snake is rather put off by the torn magazine in the lounge. Dammit, it's not like he had a lot to read from without someone reading FOR him. In fact, everything seems wrecked.* What happened here?

[friendofeve]

[Akiko is actually very quiet for once, moving away from the room at a brisk pace before finally coming to a halt near one of the walls, a bit like the proverbial marionette with its strings cut.

It’s not fair. This game is never, ever fair. Every time she thinks she’s having fun and enjoying her time with her newfound friends, something like this happens and sweeps the rug out from under all of them. And it’s awful.]

What should I do…?

[It’s a quiet, shaky whisper. She can’t just leave things like that, but given Calhoun’s interests… Was there really any chance she could possibly find a way to entertain him?]

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel was really not dealing with this fun new stuff all that well, and it showed, but after he took a few minutes away and came back to see Akiko where she was and clearly miserable he couldn't help but walk up.]

Akiko, are you alright? [He asked softly, clearly prepared to leave if she wanted to be alone. It was hard to tell what was best sometimes.]

[blind_badass]

That's the ultimate question, isn't it? What are we going to do?

[detectiveofthewest]

"Definitely not anything that could get ya seriously hurt, or what's the point of doin' it in the first place." Heiji leaned against a wall and crossed his arms. For once, he looked pretty serious.

"You get a memory, or a threat?" He was guessing the former, considering that Akiko had been mildly horrified even by the idea of cutting someone.

first day!

[puzzlinglad]

[Shockingly Hershel also isn't looking too good. In fact shortly after Calhoun's announcement he tried to slip away to the washroom, pale as a sheet. If anyone wants to catch him in there go ahead, but after a while he does come back out, still pretty pale but less of a flight risk.

He stands around for a few moments, unsure of what exactly to do. Everyone probably looked a little worse for wear, maybe focusing on them was the best option right now. He didn't have any hope that a 'show' to Calhoun could be anything other than violence or betrayal.

Maybe... maybe in the next round, if each team betrayed their opponent who allied, maybe that'd be enough? Would Calhoun really accept that if they all orchestrated it together? It wasn't much of a 'show' if the drama was all fake, at least he doubted Zero or Calhoun would be happy with it. That meant it'd probably have to be as legitimate as possible.

Well great, he was looking pale again. If he did try this, whoever he betrayed would be knocked down enough points to not be able to get food. Maybe they'd think it'd be worth it in the long run, but-]

A show... he just wants us at each other's throats, doesn't he? Anything less wouldn't be enough to make them happy.

[stop_apologizing]

[This is no time for Colette to be bothering with smiles, not with something this serious baring down on them.]

This isn't right... [Her voice is a creak of anxiety, almost a tremble - but she's mastered her own hurts by now, and her eyes are clear when she looks up at Hershel]

How could they make us do this?

[euryalus]

It's true, Calhoun and Zero shall only be satisfied by bloodshed, or worse. [ Enjolras balls his hands into fists, glaring down at the floor. He should be shaken by what he has been shown- he is on some level, but at the same time... ] I refuse to play this game. I refuse to allow this to be hung over my head as a weakness. We are not weak, and though they contrive to put us at one another's throats as a united front we are stronger. If we bide our time- wait for an opportunity- It will present itself.

[ Dangerous thoughts, Enjolras. ]

[stop_apologizing]

1st day

[The moment Colette is freed from the secret room, she bows her head just enough that her bangs and hair cover her face, and goes somewhere - anywhere - for some privacy. A corner, the lounge, wherever. Because if someone talks to her, she might start crying, and how dare she when--

His name was Lloyd. A boy whose face she still doesn't truly recognize, but the name burns its way on her tongue like an unspoken brand.

She's glad when guilt eats up her sorrow for a time, gives her a chance to pull her head up and notice anyone else who might be hurting. Six days isn't much time, and whatever show Calhoun expects, someone... might get hurt.

She needs to be ready to help out, to do something. Anything. Whatever the others need. Deep down, she isn't a critical thinker by any means, but she can follow orders and plans and duty without a flinch, and maybe that will be enough. Besides, it's her fault for not taking these missions seriously before, disillusioned by group puzzles and lighthearted games. Hard work, sometimes, and it didn't change the fact that they were all kidnapped, but she'd been... having fun with them, with her new friends.

And they still are, but now? Now she just desperately wants them freed from here.]

Does... does anyone have any ideas?

[fairsfair]

[ Jake is equally upset about everything, and Colette already knows that... well, he doesn't have the brightest personality, so adding something like this is one way to get him extremely grumpy. ]

Probably, if you're talking about giving that asshole his "show".

day 16!

[fairsfair]

[ Wow, Jake is.......... in a really bad mood, as in even worse than usual. He's not making any of the usual dumb sarcastic remarks and he's more stand-offish this time around, opting a place away from the rest. ]

[ With fists tightly clenched, he looks as if he's prone to snapping if anything really attempts to bother him. This is just about the sames as poking a rabid dog with a stick, it's just not a good idea overall, but if you really want to, you can attempt to say something. He's more than free to listen to any plans and he's certainly the kind of guy who can handle being in a fight, so he's good with that. Or, if you don't have to ask him for a fight, just go right up to him and start shit. Anything is good. ]

First day

[blind_badass]

*He hadn't realized how torturous it could be, hearing just a little innocuous conversation and not having any context for it. Especially not knowing who the girl in his conversation was. Who was she? Whoever she was, she had to be someone important, but he didn't know her name. Would he be stuck like this, knowing her voice and never knowing who it was? Oh God. Calhoun got him good. He'd rather be shocked in the arm again than not have context for his memory.*

So what's a good show for a rat?

[skyentificmethod]

[Left to her own devices, Ema is very quiet, and very, very blank]

day 16

[amphibian]

[For once, Aoi isn't being an obnoxiously energetic chatterbox. Once she returns from her meeting with Calhoun, she lingers silently a short distance from the others, too caught up in her own thoughts to look at them instead of the floor.]

for selos!

[puzzlinglad]

[Sometime later in all this nonsense Hershel found himself looking for Zelos. He wasn't sure why Zelos came to mind most here, maybe he wanted to talk to someone who have been around a long time but he wasn't particularly close with. Heiji and Ema certainly had their hands full, and told him more than once to not get involved in all the nonsense that might happen- Ema more so than anyone.

He doubted Zelos would do that, as much as he didn't want anyone to get hurt it was becoming alarmingly clear to him that's exactly what was going to need to happen.

Not that he even had an idea at this point. Well, one had to start somewhere.] Mr. Wilder, are you busy?

ATTEMPTS

[vivariummods]

[ Pull off your live performance here! This is your chance to entertain Calhoun. ]

[ This thread is for all 6 IC days, so please just mention which IC day it is in your subject when you tag. ]

day 16!

[fairsfair]

[ So, with Jake in his awful bad mood, he is totally willing to get into some kind of fight to count as a show. He won't exactly start it unless he has made an agreement with you earlier, and he definitely will not start over something as petty as little insults (but he will be prone to snapping and yelling at you some more), or if you're... well, someone he doesn't really want to beat the shit out of. ]

[ He may start it if you really keep pushing, especially if it's money related... He'll also tag along if you decide to suddenly pick a fight with him, so bam, here he is, ready for whatever, because challenging a mercenary is such a good idea... ]

day 16

[vengefulyears]

[After talking privately with Zelos in the washroom earlier, it's time to put their plan into action. Clive opens up his bag and digs through it as if he's looking for something; whatever it is, he can't seem to find it. His searching gradually becomes more frantic, and he soon moves on to dig through his pockets, but they're all empty.

His panic is short lived, however. It seems he's already figured out where his missing thing disappeared to, and he does not look at all happy about it. Clive then approaches Zelos.]

Zelos. May I have a word with you?

[It sounds like he's trying really hard to sound polite, but there's a faint hint of anger in his tone.]

Day 17

[blind_badass]

*Snake is in the lounge, sitting on one of the uncomfortable chairs near the table, reading one of the two science books in Braille with his fingers. He seems alone now so anyone could feel free to approach him. Or could they?*

day 17

[puzzlinglad]

Hershel looked strangely energetic today, given the fact he spent most of the morning and day before with a raincloud over his head, moping like the best of them. Now though, now he has a bit of an idea. It probably wasn't going to work but sitting around wouldn't help, and frankly he needed to blow off some steam somehow.

That's why he went to find Heiji. "Heiji? Sorry to bother you, but I was thinking about something you said, how we should try everything we can before worrying about doing the more unsavory things."



Feel free to also tag here to yell at Heiji and Hershel for messing up the lounge because yes, they're going to swordfight in the lounge what are you going to do about it punk.

Day 18

[blind_badass]

*It was clear that after their performance, they would need to really prove what they were made of. The snatches of conversation from someone who clearly knew him very well were a driving force in what he was about to do. He even has a few props this time.* Ema, dearest, I am wounded to the quick. Can you believe that we haven't been taken seriously about being the ones to lead in this game?