vivarium | THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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.

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[...backing away, though the bathroom's too small to get too far. maybe leaning against the wall some, one arm crossed over her torso]

Fine. Just--tired. It happens.

[yeah ok not believing that for a second. he doesn't approach her since she seemed like she didn't want him too but boy is his brow furrowed right now.]

Ema, I'm not that dense, you know. What- you did something for this show, didn't you?

[No response to that, though some scolded child feelings pile onto the rest of the general awfulness. She straightens up, only wincing a little (more than a little), making as if to leave]

...I'll let you do your business.

Ema... [remember that time you told him not to be a doormat? do you regret it yet?] I- look, whatever happened please, let me help. You seem really-

[Upset? Maybe sick? He didn't even know] We're friends, I know that probably sounds childish or silly but- I want to help.

[kind of regretting it; there are too many feelings on the dancefloor right now, letting any of them out is going to get them all arrested... that doesn't even make any sense but sense is overrated and what is she supposed to say to that anyway?]

I...think I'm gonna pass out...

[...ah, that is one option]

[that. wasn't the answer he was expecting ok screw this giving space he hurries over, ready to support her if she fell.]

Are you hurt? [no shit sherlock.]

May...be...?

[she isn't really going to pass out, not if she can help it, but all this whirling around tsunning has her so light-headed (also the blood loss, probably) that her legs feel like jelly, so she'll take that support offer, yes.

of course, from that close, even in the lone, sad bulb of the bathroom, it's pretty obvious that the dark stain over the bottom of her shirt is blood, whoops]

[shockingly being slashed by Snake the now Ema Slasher was probably a bad thing for your health. He supports her arm, and wait one dang minute what was that on your shirt?] Ema, your shirt-

[He frowns, swallows and reaches for his bag. He still had some of that bedsheet they had been using for bandaging because of stabs, this was probably the last of it though, it was like everyone kept needing it you nerds.] Is this what you meant by one sacrifice? [He's... actually kind of angry though his tone's too mixed up with concern to really hear it. dang you ema skye and your being an endearing friend then getting slashed.] If you're hurt- here, I still have these from the bedsheets, let me help.

I have some...just couldn't pull them tight enough. It'll be-- Don't worry about it.

[she certainly was not worrying, though that was more due to pain and worrying about other things she didn't want to think about so mostly pain]

Let me then. [offering to tighten a ladies bandaging, how forward. also fret fret concern concern, you know the drill.] Then maybe you should go to the cafeteria and get something to eat and drink, it might help.

[she turns even more grey than before, if possible]

...Don't worry about it. If you can just pull the bandages tight...I'd appreciate it. Shouldn't leak as much.

[he looks apologetic.] I know it isn't very appealing but you should eat something.

[he gives up on that though and nods, determined to be the best at being a nurse or whatever] Alright, I can do that.You should take these extra bandages too, I don't really need them anymore anyway.

[but she just got rid of everything she ate today, eating again would defeat the purpose of that...

she shakily hikes up the bottom of her shirt, where indeed the bandages going around her are loose and not even tied off. beneath that a larger pad of fabric is pressed to the wound itself, not completely soaked through but getting there. if adequate pressure is something that should be placed it certainly has not been. this is what happens when you don't have cute nurses from the beginning]

[but the grey mystery meat, how could you ever resist.

Hershel tries not to make too much of a face. Boy, he really wanted to scold you right now Ema!! But you really didn't look like you needed that right now, so he refrains and gets to work tightening the bandages as firmly and gently as possible.] Is this alright? [He didn't want it to be too tight, after all, breathing and comfort were nice.]

[slowly she nods. it hurt for sure, but that couldn't be helped. she didn't feel like anything was about to slip out or flop off, and that was a bonus, though with that immediate worry gone it was all to easy to think about what she and Snake had just done--less of a bonus, that.]

...Sorry.

You're okay, right?

[He worked on tying it properly, examining his handiwork with a satisfied nod.] There we are. I hope we get to enough BP for medical supplies soon, I really think you're going to need them, this looks... nasty.

[not that he really saw the wound but hey, still looked bad from this angle. he glances back up at her when she speaks, trying to offer a reassuring sort of smile.] I won't say I don't have a few choice words for you for doing whatever it is you did to yourself, but that can wait so don't worry yourself with apologies.

[and have a pause.] I am. Ema, we're probably not going to satisfy Calhoun's wishes, are we?

[her whole body slumps at that, breathing going even shallower and hair falling to obscure her face]

...I...I don't know. I don't know what else to do that wouldn't just--

I don't think there is anything we can do that wouldn't be just... worse.

[and another long pause and staring ahead sort of blankly before he looks at her.] He told me I killed someone. If... well, maybe now it's more like when, when that comes out I doubt many people in the game will be willing to trust me again. Frankly if it's true I'm not sure I could blame them in the slightest.

[have a pretty defeated look because at this point he just thinks yeah, this is it, they did what they could but failed and it sucked.] I wouldn't blame you either, of course. For what it's worth thank you for trying so hard to stop him.

...

[then, they weren't that different after all...

...except for one, small but important thing, she couldn't believe he'd do anything like that for a minute.]

He's lying, there's no way that could be true, not intentionally. Only an idiot wouldn't trust you after an obviously false accusation like that.

[she hesitates, then lightly touches his arm]

You're a good man, Hershel... Don't let them--don't let anyone make you think otherwise.

[Hershel regards her for a few quiet moments before offering a strained but totally sincere smile.] Thanks Ema. All this time you've been talking about moving forward and not focusing on our memories. maybe-

[And he cuts off like he isn't sure how he wants to finish that. He shakes his head.] Please don't do anything else to get yourself hurt for this, Ema. Whatever he told you, it can't be worth... [you know. dying. he shuts up.]

[she echoes a faint smile of her own, hugging her arms around herself]

...when it's for some people, it's a lot harder to remember that.

Do as I say, not as I do, okay?

[you're a stubborn chick, ema. fretting has cranked up to ten] Ema, please, tell me you're not going to try anything else.

[she shakes her head, feeling fuzzy again]

...I'm going to try to make it to the cafeteria.

Ema... [You're killing him. He sighs, bracing her arm.] I'll take you. [aka i don't trust you alone anymore because who knows what you'll do next???]

[probably pass out

which is why she doesn't complain at all (also because she is feeling rather poorly and also because she's grateful he's around all, even if he didn't even a little bit assume she'd make anything but the worst decisions, sometimes she just makes only the second-worst decisions you know)

but yeah, she'd rather pass out in the cafeteria, fewer people there, also, maybe there's an ice machine or at least some frozen grey meat or something, hope springs eternal]

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