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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You...WHAT?! You got scored HIGHER? *Snake is clearly incredulous.* Well...apparently Calhoun isn't a fan of soap opera drama although you and Hershel seemed to be lapping it up.

*He's even more incensed when Heiji gives him kissing tips.* Are you seriously critiquing my performance?! God, Heiji...*he's getting toward being genuinely angry now.*

"So it really was a performance?" Hmm, Heiji had sort of suspected, but at least he now had confirmation... for whatever that was worth.

He totally didn't get why Snake was angry, though. "If I didn't think it was all that great -- and believe me, I'm way less into backstabbing and blood than that rat is -- then whattaya think Calhoun thought? Ya got off to a good start with the..." And now Heiji was turning a little red.

"With the leg thing, but it just kinda petered out after that."

"We were setting a scene, trying to establish character. Now that we have that and a result, I think I see what we're going to have to do."

Snake's expression did turn smug at the mention of the leg. "I thought it was rather inspiring. She does have a keen mind and I think that is a most attractive quality for me. Who knows, perhaps I might consider it for real. And now that I think about it, Heiji, you bring up an excellent point."

He's damn near grinning now. "If you would consider a peck on the cheek to be something friends do, why didn't you opt for that in bingo, hmm? Or were you just trying to make a point?" He though Heiji was just trying to be a jerk, most likely, even though it was a good kiss.

Heiji's face turned a red and he looked away, scowling a little. Not with any malice or anything, but this was embarrassing. "Well... if you're gonna kiss someone, you gotta do it the right way. B-Besides, you didn't really give me a lot of time to think about it, so... I guess it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time?"

He scratched his temple as he spoke, a sort of nervous tic that he couldn't quite get rid of. "Sheesh, it's like everyone's giving me the third degree over this..."

*Well hmm, if he was getting teased enough, Snake hardly needed to add to it. He'd had enough amusement at Heiji's expense.* I agree that I kind of goaded you into it. I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable in any way. Besides, I assume you'd rather be kissing someone like Collette. She sounds like a nice girl.

Heiji sounded a little sheepish. Wow, was Snake being the bigger person here? "Nah, forget it. Anyway, Colette's a real sweetheart, but that's why I wouldn't ask someone like her. I mean, if it was her first kiss or something, it should be with someone she really likes. I'd be afraid she might agree anyway, though, if someone put her on the spot like that. Hope no one did."

Look at Heiji, thinking about others! He paused for a long moment. "Um, so... you and Ema really hitting it off?"

*Way to be an adult for a change, Heiji.* I'm not sure. This situation makes it difficult to ascertain real feelings. I think we could be, given the right circumstances and provided she was interested.

Heiji's whole face lit up at once, and he moved on over beside Snake to slide an arm around his shoulders. His cheeks were still a little red, though.

"Seriously?! C'mon, you gotta tell me all about it! Whattaya like about her? I know, I bet it's how cool she is, right?" Cool meaning her general attitude, or at least the image she tried to project 99% of the time. Heiji knew she had some goofiness under there, though.

She does seem very self-possessed and confident. *He must be getting used to Heiji as he doesn't mind the friendly gesture of a hand on his shoulders.* That is an attractive quality along with intelligence.

Heiji looked at Snake in disbelief. "We're talkin' about cute girls, right? Sheesh, you sound like you're ordering lunch at a restaurant or somethin'. A family restaurant."

Where was Snake's... well, passion?

"Uh... so if she asks you what you like about her, you're not gonna say it like that, right?"

Heiji, we're going to have to agree to disagree on this. The things that you find attractive are not the things that I'm going to find attractive.

Also, just because I'm not utterly over the moon with her doesn't mean I don't have feelings. She's an intelligent woman and if something were to spark between us, it would be over mutual respect. *Also, dude, he is not 17. He's got way better control over his hormones.*

"I ain't saying we like the same things," said Heiji, looking unconvinced. "I'm just sayin' you don't sound all that enthused. And also that if you want to confess to someone, you should make it sound less like a laundry list. Maybe give her some flowers?"

"Y'know, more 'I'm pretty sweet on you' or 'I really care about you a lot', less 'You're an intelligent and comely young woman'." That last bit was said with an almost spot-on impression of Snake's enunciation and speaking tone guess who had been paying attention it was Heiji.

*That was actually amusing.* You certainly have a talent for mimicry. Also, I told you I wasn't sure about what I feel at this point. In addition, admitting such feelings to someone else could be used against me in this game.

What that was boring Snake you were not allowed in the (soon to be shrinking ranks of the) gossip club. Heiji waved a hand, impatient.

"Okay, so all that aside: what would ya say to someone if you were askin' 'em out?" He needed to make sure Snake didn't get himself slapped silly.

That's difficult to say, considering I don't have any memory of doing so. I would assume it would depend on who I was asking. Also that I'd really have to know the person. *You know, since lust at first sight doesn't apply.*

But...I'd think I say...*And here his voice changes. Snake usually is even-keeled, except for snarking. This time his voice is soft, as though addressing a theoretical partner for dating.* I like being around you a lot. You make me happy in a way I can't explain, only that everything becomes so much lighter when you're around. Did you want to have dinner sometime so we can talk more?

Edited 2014-08-30 01:40 (UTC)

That wasn't bad, Heiji had to admit, though the lack of facial expressions killed it a little. He looked away.

"Well... I guess ya can do it if you try, after all," he said. NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THE SATISFACTION, BUDDY. "Might wanna try smiling when you do it, though."

Not that I was asking for a critique of performance, but thank you. *And now, back to normal snark.*

I suppose I should be lucky I have any visual emotional responses to people. Everything I can do must have been from what I remember before the accident. *Whatever and whenever it had been.* Ema said that I was quite the poker face once.

"Where I come from, we just call that 'tsumetee'," said Heiji. Snake was a cool guy, in the fullest sense of the word.

"Anyway, it's not like anyone else can see themselves smile, unless they're practicin' in the mirror or something." Which would be weird. Heiji personally smiled all the damn time.

*Snake can tell by listening to his voice.* I suppose if I ever were to confess to someone, I'd have to rely on more voice and less expression and hope that person understood.

"Yeah? Sounds tough," said Heiji, idly playing with the brim of his hat. Now he just sounded like this was a complete hypothetical -- a mild problem that maybe other people had to solve.

"Well, I guess confessin' to someone's always hard. Like you never know what the other side's gonna say, so you might end up happy as a clam... or ya might end up cryin' into your noodles later."

Gosh, he sure was hungry.

I suppose I could ask you if you've ever confessed to anyone but you wouldn't know the answer. *He sighs.* Anyway. I was going to read but since one of my magazines is in need of repair, let's go to the cafeteria instead.

Y-yeah, his magazine......

Heiji stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, okay. I probably haven't eaten in a while, anyway." Not that he could really tell very well in the warehouse; they didn't even really know if it was night or day.

And speaking of eating... "I hope Clive's gonna be alright."

Well, he should be up to 7 the next time. He'll be that much closer. *Oh little did they know what was in store...*

"That's true," said Heiji, "But he's been livin' off canned food and scraps for a while now. In a place like this, malnutrition's a problem, too."

He looked at Snake. "Speakin' of which, how're ya feeling?"

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THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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