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

[blind_badass]

*Whatever she says to him makes him give a closed-eye look of surprise.* You are sure? It would be a good way to prove what needs to be done. *He touches her cheek with his fingers.* If you are sure then I am the luckiest man to be paired with you. *He whispers back in her ear, "We can do this."*

[skyentificmethod]

[she huffs out a little laugh? well, it's close enough to a laugh to count, and she places her hand over his and it barely shakes at all]

...Yes, I know. I'm sure. I wouldn't be here with you if I wasn't.

[she straightens, affects a calculatedly bored expression]

So... Show me what you've got, then.

[blind_badass]

First, we should have everything be nice and properly laid out. *To that he has a book on the table and a knife he got from Heiji.* We're responsible about our work so I have a spare we can use when it's my turn. But ladies first, of course. *He holds out his hand for her own knife so that he can use it properly.* I'm thinking a light but elegant curve.

[skyentificmethod]

[she hands it over, chuckling a bit]

Your initials? Afraid I'll forget you?

[blind_badass]

*He smirks.* You're not a tree, Ema. You're a lovely young woman. You deserve more than some random letters. *He moves the lower part of her shirt out of the way, exposing her midriff.* Do be sure not to move too much while I decorate you.

[skyentificmethod]

Of course.

[she swallows, ruffles his hair]

When you're made to wait for something, you can't help but want it to go perfectly.

I hope you can satisfy...

[blind_badass]

I aim to please. *He traces a line on her stomach, a delicate curve. He nods and with his right hand, takes the knife and cuts a slow, bleeding trail, biting into skin and touching muscle beyond, going around her navel and then stopping. It's almost like watching someone carve a piece of wood EXCEPT the doing it to a person part.*

There we are. How does it look?

[skyentificmethod]

["pro" or no, as the not!wooden piece being carved at present she can't help but let out a choked noise as the knife goes in, immediately staring up at the ceiling before anyone could catch her expression. it's ten shallow breaths before he finishes and she looks down, belly covered in red. Another shuddering breath and she grabs at his wrist, jaw apparently too tight to speak just yet]

[blind_badass]

*This was the key part. With his left hand he offers her the knife on the table. He set his right hand on top of the book, as though he were about to take an oath. He spreads out the fingers as wide as he can.*

[skyentificmethod]

[She grips the knife downward in her fist, then slams it down through the middle of his hand in one unhesitant motion, maybe twisting it just the tiniest bit. Then she lets go, having pinned him to the book like a bug on display.]

...Looks great.

[blind_badass]

*It's so fast that he doesn't have time to tense, which may have minimized the horrific damage of getting stabbed through the hand. He briefly leans back in his chair, his spine almost arcing as he registers the pain and tries very very VERY hard not to scream. It's almost beautiful in way. He can't hide the pain-filled breaths, though.*

O-of c-course it is. I'll finish up here. You go on, Ema.

[skyentificmethod]

[she makes a sound, pauses and starts over, twisting her mouth into something approximating a smirk as she grips his wrist again]

Think that performance is a little more befitting a 'pro'?

[blind_badass]

*Snake is beginning to understand just exactly what "excruciating" really means. He can't stop her, though, because this is exactly what he wants.* You..y-you are without a d-doubt the m-most professional of people.

[skyentificmethod]

[a bark of what must be a laugh, then crossing trembling arms as she straightens up]

Right. Right. You should--get that cleaned up. That book's gonna be ruined.

[then she abruptly turns to go, leaving him there]

[detectiveofthewest]

Heiji had his shinai propped against one shoulder as he wandered onto the scene, a little after Ema had already rushed off. If they ended up not meeting Calhoun's challenge, well... that was just what happened, and he wasn't going to sweat himself over --

He froze for a fraction of a second when he saw Snake with the book and the knife driven through his hand into it. He knew instantly that it was the one that he'd lent Snake, of course he did, but this was something he had not been expecting to find on a casual stroll around the rooms.

Then his paralysis was over with. "Light!" he shouted, dropping the shinai as he rushed toward Snake. It clattered loudly onto the floor.

"What happened? You dummy, I told ya not to get yourself hurt! You didn't challenge anyone to a fight...?" But no, there were no signs of a struggle. Had someone just taken the knife right out of Snake's hands and stabbed him through the hand with it? And why?

[blind_badass]

No...just...just a little performance. *His voice is a hiss. He wraps his left hand around the handle and tries to yank out the knife, but Ema nailed him good. He doesn't have enough leverage. So he stands up, fully intent on putting a shoe on the book and then tugging again.*

[detectiveofthewest]

"Stop that!" Heiji said, swatting at Snake's free hand to get him to stop pulling. "You're gonna make it worse. I'll pull it out, just stop squirmin' around. Take a deep breath. I'm gonna pull it out on three. Okay?"

He put one hand on the book and one hand on the handle of the knife.

[blind_badass]

Okay...okay...*He sits back, pale as death, knowing that it's about to hurt even more.*

[detectiveofthewest]

"One..." But that was all Heiji gave Snake before he pulled the knife free.

He did it quick and hopefully as painlessly as he could, dropped the knife on the ground, then pressed hard on Snake's hand to try and staunch the bleeding.

[blind_badass]

*It wasn't completely painless as his eyes fly open in reflex. Crazily he bats Heiji's hand away.* Wait...I just...have to do one thing. *To finally end this twisted little game, he needed to sign off on it. He did it with a readily available writing material. He wetted his fingers with his blood, gasping at the pain of making them flex. But he did it, writing out for all to see*

-- The games we play --

Okay...now I'm done. I've got...got some cloth in my pocket you can use.

sometime later i assume???

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel was blissfully unaware that things were getting this intense, though yeah, he couldn't say he didn't expect it. They had hours left and by this point he was just resigned to having his secret told to the entire warehouse. At least Heiji knew it and didn't hate him for it, so that was good??

He's distracted enough he almost doesn't notice Ema, wherever the heck they are. Walking up to her from behind since wow this was going to be a fun discovery.] Oh, Ema, you're still up? [Was it even late?? Who knew anymore.]

bathroom, nnnot too far later maybe???

[skyentificmethod]

[She turns with a hoarse yelp from where she'd been leaning over the sink, stumbling over in obvious surprise. Her face is ashen, expression miserable for the split-second before she looks away]

Just--finishing up.

what she said!

[puzzlinglad]

[and he looks surprised back because yeah, wasn't expecting that reaction.] Oh, I-

[and he stops, noticing her expression and general demeanor. fret mode, activate. he approaches the side of the sink.] Ema, what's wrong, are you alright?

[skyentificmethod]

[...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.

[puzzlinglad]

[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?