vivariummods: (Default)
vivarium mods. ([personal profile] vivariummods) wrote in [community profile] vivarium2014-08-18 11:21 pm

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.
puzzlinglad: (42)

[personal profile] puzzlinglad 2014-08-26 03:54 am (UTC)(link)
"My lips are sealed." He promised quiety. Admittedly he was a shitty liar sometimes so yeah, take that as you will, but he won't sell you out Heiji. People who broke everything in a stupid attempt to impress Calhoun needed to stick together.

He does slow down a bit, growing a little more serious. "We're running out of time, you know." He glanced at Heiji. "Are you ok?" Hershel's situation sucked but Heiji's... never finding out was rough. Really rough.

He offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, it's probably better not to focus on something like that. Just- I don't know, if you need anything."
detectiveofthewest: (Heiji: on the trail)

[personal profile] detectiveofthewest 2014-08-26 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
Heiji paused for a moment, then nodded. "I know. And I think I'll be okay. No matter what happens, it's in the past. Doesn't matter if I remember or not; I gotta deal with it either way."

He turned to Hershel. "What about you? You gonna be okay if that rat spills what he told you?"
puzzlinglad: (3)

[personal profile] puzzlinglad 2014-08-26 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
"That's the best way of looking at it, but I can't imagine it won't be easy." Hershel tried to offer Heiji a smile. "Well... when we get out of here we can try to find some answers, if it comes to that. Calhoun can't erase everything, right? And two heads are better than one."

And have an uncomfortable look. "I hope so. I don't know how everyone will react, I know Clive likely will never trust me again, maybe a few of the others..." His shoulders slumped, he really didn't want to think of what a pacifist like Akiko may think of him or someone pragmatic like Ema. "Honestly it's good just to know one person won't condemn me for it, thank you, Heiji."
detectiveofthewest: (Heiji: or my name aint--)

[personal profile] detectiveofthewest 2014-08-26 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
Heiji ruffled the top of Hershel's fluff with one hand. "Well, one way to look at it -- if a bunch of us get so-called 'secrets' revealed about ourselves, that means we can't really point fingers at each other, right? And I ain't particularly believe much of what Calhoun says to begin with. I'm sure other people will think the same way."

Then he crossed his arms. "Anyway, you're right. I don't care how many resources they got. You can't just erase accident reports and newspaper articles and stuff like that."
puzzlinglad: (8)

[personal profile] puzzlinglad 2014-08-26 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
"I suppose that's true." Hershel had to admit, if they were all in the same boat to some extent at least that meant they'd probably be more understanding. "Even if things get bad... well, it just means I'll have to find a way to earn their trust somehow, right?" Easier said than done, but he was trying to be optimistic.

ANd he nodded. "Absolutely, no matter how many resources he has, Calhoun isn't omnipotent, and neither is Zero. It would be hard but there's always hope."