vivarium | 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

*He raises an eyebrow and smiles a little at what she's doing but he doesn't tell her to stop. It's quite nice, actually.*

I suppose he's learning his manners from Bullneck. Tch, the pedestrians we're saddled with. *He pats her hand with affection.* They have no appreciation for anything this wonderful experiment provides for us.

[continuing to do that, then]

I think some of the most w...onderful parts are already taken. And you know, sadly, it takes a while for some rats to make it through the maze. Eventually they make it to their cheese...or else they're culled, but either way we learn something.

Indeed. And you've come to the heart of the matter. *He folds both his hands under his chin.* Obviously we're the most intelligent people here so it's only fair we escape together. I know that Zero wanted us to here to educate everyone but if they're all too mentally deficient to follow along...well, there's no reason to let them drag us down, is there?

Of course not. People are given the trials they--they deserve after all. If they can't figure out how to get out of here, they deserve it--more than anyone they need to stay. People like us shouldn't have to carry the others through simple things like the puzzle rooms, either.

[she pulls away and looks down, as if examining her (split, bitten clean) nails]

It just isn't fair.

There hasn't been anyone who has done you wrong, has there? *He is all concern for his beloved Ema, sitting up and leaning forward.* You know I wouldn't let that stand. Anyone that hurts you is going to get hurt three times as much before this game is over.

[she puts a hand to his shoulder, soothing]

That's so sweet of you to say. But--

--I mean, you don't have to worry about it. I don't want to make a big deal over it.

But you...any vengeance you need taken in the near future?

Edited 2014-08-25 01:43 (UTC)

I could think of one or two people but they haven't done enough to really deserve your wrath. Yet. However, being the kinds of sub-intelligent nimrods they are, I think it's better to let them compound their failings. *He smiles at her.* It'll be so much more fun making them suffer later on.

Of course, it's a date, then. I can't help feeling like a kid making cookies, though... I just want a little taste.

Now, now, you don't want to spoil your appetite, do you? As tempting as it is. *he leans across the space between them to kiss her on the cheek*

I'm glad we had a chance to discuss things. Shall we venture on to the 4-star dining at our local cafeteria?

Always the voice of reason... Though I suppose it's alright in this case.

[her cheeks are fairly warm but she takes his hand firmly as they get up and go]

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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