vivarium | THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Entry tags:

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't know, I doubt Calhoun will take anything other than violence or betrayal as a 'show,' as much as I want to believe there's a way we can stop this without anyone getting hurt.

I talked to Heiji, he thinks it might be better if we all came clean with what we were told or threatened with. He's probably right but- [this secret business sucked majorly. he rubs his arm, quiet for a long moment before oh right, conversation.]- I um, I'm not sure it won't just annoy Calhoun and some of the group. I don't want tensions to get worse than they already are. What do you think?

So...prevent any need to give Calhoun what it wants by eliminating its collateral.

[she ponders on that; as appealing as ruining something for Calhoun was, she doesn't really want other people to know what she's learned any more than she'd wanted to know it herself]

...It would take a lot of convincing. And what if the rat doesn't accept it?

It would work for the people with secrets, he'd have nothing to lord over us. The problem is it doesn't really fix the problem for the people with just the memories.

[They'd still basically be fucked over completely if Calhoun wasn't just blowing hot air about never letting them see the end of their memory. Hearing Heiji's yeah, he could see why that'd be a big problem in some cases.]

I don't know... I'm worried about what would happen if Calhoun and Zero aren't- [He frowns] -well, 'entertained.' I doubt they're going to just punish us and let it go, they may try again and make it ever worse.

I wouldn't be surprised. And it looks like Zero's finally gotten something more than just Soporil in his bag of tricks.

Calhoun told me once they didn't mind stepping in on the experiment to try to shake up the results, I'm not sure if I mentioned it or not. I guess something like this was inevitable, they really seemed displeased there was only one betrayal.

[which was more than enough drama for him and still was, thanks for making it worse, Zero.] I'm worried tensions are going to boil over and someone's going to get hurt more than we can help them.

I'd say that's an inevitability. It's already a miracle no one's gotten some strange infection already. Which...who knows, Calhoun might be into.

...Either way, it sounds like you're suggesting figuring how to minimize fallout and collateral damage, rather than stopping anything from happening.

I don't know, Heiji thinks we should try a lot of things and hope they'll pan out before anything drastic but- [he pauses, sighs] Maybe it's pessimistic but I don't think Calhoun's going to be happy with anything other than someone getting hurt or betrayed without orchestration next round.

So... if that's the case I'd rather we all deal with the punishment than have to deal with the possibility of someone getting truly hurt. I don't- I can't say I'm looking forward to the punishment, and maybe the betrayals wouldn't be anywhere near as bad as it, but-

[he hesitates before his shoulders slump.] I guess I just don't have any suggestions on what we could do either. I thought the best option would be some betrayals next AB round, but like I said, if they're orchestrated I don't think Calhoun will be very impressed.

Impressing Calhoun is fairly low on my bucket list. Betraying someone at this point still is a matter of being supplied food or no. Is that something you feel comfortable putting on the table, especially with how sporadically BP are given out?

...Really, there only needs to be one sacrifice, if what Calhoun said can be trusted.

You're right. [couldn't argue that at all, if his shoulders weren't already of the slumped variety they would be now.] Ema, honestly there's nothing I feel comfortable with doing that I think would actually work.

[.... the word 'sacrifice' was not a good one] What are you thinking then?

Don't do anything, then. Act as normal. Keep your head down and your nose clean.

But... [have a bunch of concern.] Ema, you still haven't said what you think we should do. What are you planning?

Who said I was planning anything? Look, I just said what I think you should do. Let the old men take care of the drama, sit back and reap the rewards. Why should Calhoun be the only one enjoying the show?

Ema... you don't really believe that, do you? [yeah he's calling bullshit a bit, he's seen you're a good, nice girl when you aren't busy ruining his life with drag and such.]

[not that he thinks ema will ever admit it, so he glances away, quiet a moment before leveling her with a plainly concerned sort of look.] Just... promise you'll be careful in the next few days?

You be careful.

[and that's not (just) being contrary, that's honesty, because Ema doesn't often get into trouble she doesn't deserve.]

Don't try to be a hero. And...[she hesitates, but continues anyway] maybe...stay away from Clive. If you can.

You could just say 'yes,' you know, even if it is a lie. [He's trying to joke but yeah, pretty weak shit.]

[and he hesitates, because as much as he knows Ema is right about him staying away from Clive he really didn't want to admit things were that bad between them.] I know, I will, at least until this is all over. Just- do you think our memories and secrets are worth the price Calhoun is probably asking?

[she sighs, heavily]

...I don't know much of anything anymore.

[He considers for a moment before trying:] I think you said just the other day we should focus more on where we're headed than these memories Calhoun and Zero are hoarding. I guess that's not as easy with something like this, though.

Um, for what it's worth, I'm sure you'll do the right thing in the end. That seems to be the kind of person you are. [Even if some of your decisions like punching Calhoun are questionable...]

...I wouldn't be so sure.

[abruptly she turns, starting for the caf]

I need a drink.

[He's surprised, then unsure if she wants anyone following her, then decides to follow anyway because... well, just because. Nothing made a bad situation better than horrible food and drink, really.]

I'm surprised you're not buying it from Calhoun's shop then- well, I guess it is expensive. [Let's talk about that and not how fucked things are.]

[and today's persistent do-gooder award goes to... more seriously, ema is silent for a few beats, not slowing down, but not speeding up, either.

at length:]

...We could always sacrifice someone's sock to try and make prison wine.

[I'm sorry this is what you have to deal with Ema.]

[Again he's a bit surprised Ema answered, and then confused.] What's prison wine?

[he is just lucky she likes british accents okay]

In jail, booze isn't quite on the state-provided menu, so the inmates have got to make their own fermented liquids the old fashioned way. ...Except without most of the things you want to think about being in something you're about to consume orally.

[reevaluate your life, is it really worth this.]

[.... there's is nothing about that last sentence that doesn't concern him. He makes a face.] Ema, that's foul. Keep saying things like that and the cafeteria food will look appealing.

If nothing else, it'd be a show...

At this point everyone seems desperate enough to give it a shot.

[He's quiet for a moment before he just sort of stops walking, sounding kind of guilty when he speaks up.] I'm sorry, I shouldn't be following you around like this, you have enough on your mind. [He may or may not feel guilty that he kind of just wants to hang out with Ema before the shit hits the fan and everyone hates and doesn't trust each other or him for secrets and other reasons.] I guess asking you to be careful won't do much... Good luck, then?

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)