ambidex voting #7

[vivariummods]

A M B I D E X  V O T I N G Chop chop, everyone downstairs to the first floor! You're all done the puzzle rooms, so you know what to do. Well, most of you, but it's pretty basic, just enter any Ambidex Room you like (they're not elevators, you ignorant test subjects) then vote! How does voting work? Very simple! Pick Ally or Betray, and that's it! But with every round, there's always some prizes, depending on what you vote, so here's this rounds: For anyone who chooses Ally, well, if your opponent chooses Ally as well, then 2BP for each of you. You get all that friendship, blah blah, whatever. For anyone who chooses Betray, and gets a Betray in return, your BP doesn't change at all, but you do get two cans of food and 15 coins for each person, what, you have a problem with it being the same as last time? We're busy over here, quit your bellyaching. Now, the best part: for anyone who chooses Betray and their opponent chooses Ally, Calhoun will be very generous with his prizes, again! You'll get two cans of food and a memory! We're switching it up a bit. Also, as usual, those who pick Betray get 3BP instead of just 2. But if you're the poor sap that chose Ally and got stabbed in the back, well, sorry, you lose 2 BP. At least you got stabbed for the greater good, right? And plus, you might get a little something. He'll talk to you later about it. But anyway, happy voting! Calhoun will see all of you later with the results. BASIC INFO ✖ VOTES + FORMS ✖ RESULTS + REACTIONS

Comments

[eeeek]

[i think now that we've established there's an offshoot timeline where simon and hershel just did it on the floor of the warehouse we can stop with the metaphors]

A-Are you sure? Like, totally sure? [He's kinda fretting here - he got someone else hurt earlier, and the last thing he needs on his conscience is another murder. Well, almost-murder. Fainting on someone is probably a form of murder, right?? But still, he sighs looking down at the splint around his ankle.]

Y-Yeah... I'm okay. How did you know it was Heiji? Does he do stuff like this a lot?

[not_that_sasuke]

"You aren't a jerk, and you aren't useless. You helped us out in the Theatre, remember?" And possibly the music room too but we'll see how that goes.

"You don't owe me anything, either. If anything, it probably shouldn't have taken this long to come help you. Sorry about that." He really should have been more on the ball about hunting Simon down for that splint back when they had just gotten out of the Theatre...

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel nodded, it was pretty damn clear this was just a ploy to drain BP. He doubted Calhoun would be so incredibly cooperative about this otherwise.]

We're an investment, even if they're willing to sacrifice us, that's what we are to them. There's no gain in letting us go that I can see, it'd only be dangerous for them. [He's quiet for another moment before putting a hand on Ema's arm gently.] Your health is more important than BP, or any of this. If you and I split the cost we could get you the supplies without losing access to the cafeteria. I was hoping to convince Jake to accept some supplies, honestly, but at this point I doubt he'd take anything I gave him and spent BP on.

[puzzlinglad]

[What, you're out of ideas. Weak.

And Hershel nods.] I'm positive. [He almost adds that Simon's too light to do any damage but you know, that's pretty rude probably.]

Oh, it's just like him to steal everything that isn't nailed down in a puzzle room and then apply it in um... creative ways like this. [He sounds amused.] You were hurt last puzzle room, weren't you? What happened?

[not_that_sasuke]

[And noticing that, he stuffs his left hand into his pocket. The cloth tied around his palm was sort of hard to hide when it was out in the open, unfortunately. It looks a bit like the fabric from the comfy music room couches...]

...Yeah, I'll be okay. [He'll just sort of... avoid looking at it as much as possible...]

Do you need help walking? I can lend you a shoulder if you need it.

[skyentificmethod]

I can't...

--I don't need your charity, Hershel, this isn't your problem.

[eeeek]

[weak? weak like the tentative, nervous fist simon makes as he desperately grips onto hershel's shirt with tears in his eyes?? weak like the almost inaudible quiver in his voice as he finally says "i love you" to hershel, right as the world is crumbling around them and they don't have the time to act on their feelings?? weak like his shallow breathing as the two of them huddle for warmth in the snow created by the Evil Witch, life leaving their bodies as they silently realize that neither a god nor a Good Witch could exist because no righteous, powerful spirit would abandon them here in their hour of need????

or weak like Simon's anxious little nod as he turns away from Hershel and bites his bottom lip?? Honestly, he didn't expect Hershel to actually ask about his injury, which was kind of silly of him, because Hershel is a very caring guy - of course he would. Simon just thought that, you know, with all the stab wounds, Hershel would be more preoccupied with giving himself a once over.]

I-I just... I fell from a big drop and sprained my ankle, a little while ago-- it's okay, it's fine. [It's too embarrassing to say yeah i tripped off a stage because i'm an idiot.]

But-- but more importantly, I saw, um - your clothes, you had to stitch them up. Did you have an accident or something?

[puzzlinglad]

Why do you say charity like it's such a terrible thing? Everyone needs help sometimes, and you're my friend, Ema. Please, this is your life we're talking about, if you lose access to food just for medical supplies you're in as bad a position as you were before.

[puzzlinglad]

[okay fine, point made, metaphor vacation.

That's pretty much the answer Hershel expected to hear. He even hypothesized about it when he and Kuzuryuu saw him walk in with a limp. Truly the greatest detective that ever lived to be able to look at the evidence and say ah yes, Simon probably bumbled off stage and hurt himself because he doesn't need to be high on hallucinogenics to be a danger to himself and others.

Only nice than that because it's Hershel.] I suppose it's just lucky it wasn't broken, I haven't the slightest idea how we'd handle a broken bone here. [Don't even want to think about it.

And he glances at a) his re-sewed up sleeve and b) sewed up pant leg because who knew which he meant at this point. He assumes the leg since haha Simon already saw exactly what made that tear in his arm. Best not to make him faint again.]

Oh, well, yes, our latest puzzle room went... poorly. [Understatement of the century.] I'm fine, I'm more worried about Jake and Ema, they weren't nearly as lucky.

[puzzlinglad]

[Concerned look there, he hoped whatever it was wasn't bad.] I see... if you need any bandaging I have a little, just what's left of a sheet. [He washed most of the mold off!]

[Hershel really doesn't wasn't Sasuke to worry so he takes a few steps in, a little stiffly but obviously nothing is broken or bleeding.] I appreciate it but I think it will be alright, nothing's broken or sprained or any of that nonsense.

[He takes a seat at one of the tables, sighing quietly.] I am very glad these rooms are done... I'm sorry they were some of the first you saw, they're... dangerous. More so than the first set, that's to be certain.

[skyentificmethod]

It's...

It's just...some number of days. You're going to need them for later, you know you will, don't waste them.

[eeeek]

[Yeah, honestly, it's still kind of a surprise to Simon that he's keeping himself alive. Seriously, how hasn't he been Akiko'd yet?? Still, he nods, as best as he can while he's laying on his back like this. If his foot had actually broken, that would have been... a little too much. He'd been lucky it was only a sprain, though he honestly hadn't expected to injure himself at all, falling from the stage the way he did. It just kind of happened. A lucky bonus that came with being an idiot at that particular moment.]

W-What happened to you guys in your puzzle room? Ours was kinda bad, too. Sasuke says he's okay, but I-- I mean, I hurt-- I hurt him, by fainting into him like I fainted into you, and I didn't mean to, but he got hurt and I feel really bad about that. I don't-- I don't want to... imagine... [he's thinking about the stab wounds again. oh jeez. here comes the wooziness. he was going to say "i don't want to imagine how bad it could have been", but nope, looks like he's hit that point at full force.

He drops his head back onto his vest-pillow and sees the room start to spin.]

I-I think-- I think I have a concussion. My head-- a-ahh. I'm gonna throw up.

[puzzlinglad]

[he stares at her for a very long moment. obviously something she said surprised him.] Do you really think spending them on maybe saving your life is a waste? That's- Ema, it could never be a waste.

[puzzlinglad]

[A guy is the only person who manages to injure himself completely on accident and suddenly he's potential Akiko 2.0, what a rough, rough life Simon lives. Frankly Hershel was getting more and more concerned for Simon's odds too, but he politely doesn't point out that Simon was probably going to fall over one day, break his nose and drown in a puddle of his own blood.

He also really doesn't think Simon needs to hear about explosions, shrapnel and concussions right now so he tries his best to be vague.] Just a... unexpected trap. [And oh boy, this is probably after Hershel saw Sasuke so that explained the bandage. If it's before then idk, he's just concerned.] Simon, I'm sure Sasuke doesn't hold it against you. Mistakes happen, maybe this is a sign you should try and work on controlling your anxiety. I'm sure there must be a way to do so, meditation or the like.

[Oh, well, he didn't look good, oh boy, concussions everywhere.] Ah- you do look a little pale. Let me see your eyes.

[And with that he leans forward, as if about to claim Simon's first kiss as his own. Truly everything he has ever done has lead to this moment, the time he kneeled over Simon and slowly got closer to his face as Simon lay demurely before him.]

[not_that_sasuke]

...I don't think anyone would blame you. [It's. Probably kind of hard to do when blind.]

...Do you mind if we move ahead? [He really doesn't think this is a good thing to stare at right before eating of all things. He's already feeling a bit ill.]

[not_that_sasuke]

"Yeah, see you later. I'll try to come and help once I'm done." Even though it might be kind of awkward around Simon after what had happened, but... It's probably best to deal with that as soon as possible, too.

[not_that_sasuke]

I'm fine.

[It's just a really scary looking gash, but it hardly hurts, so obviously everything is okay right? Right. He'll go ahead and take a seat with Hershel, in a chair that ensures he won't have any of Akiko's... remains... in his line of sight.]

The first set...? What were those like?

[skyentificmethod]

...

[she turns away, shifts awkwardly a few times.]

...I just want you to----be smart, not nice.

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel accepts this, because hopefully Sasuke wasn't like half the stubborn people here and just tried to hide everything, right?? Right??????

He considers Sasuke's question for a moment before answering a little slowly.] Well... I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say, so I'll be vague, but there were three. One was the Infirmary, one was the Incinerator and one was the Confinement Room. They were basically the way they sounded, and very unpleasant to top it all off.

Only one had a trap as far as I can tell, the Infirmary. There was a puzzle you could try to force, and if you did or you got it wrong... it was unpleasant, though not nearly as dangerous as the traps this round. It makes me wonder how bad the next puzzle rooms will be.

[not_that_sasuke]

[Totally not, that would be terribly irresponsible of him.]

...So once he's shuffled a group through a set of rooms, he moves onto another set? [Though if there are people from the original rounds, that would make sense. It probably isn't as much fun for Zero if someone on the team already knows how to solve the puzzles.]

...It could get bad. Hopefully no one else has to be pulled out of the game, but if they do... Anyone who replaces them is going to be at a disadvantage. [Having to deal with the traps for these rounds was already troublesome. If it just got increasingly worse as time went on, it had the potential to be outright fatal by the time people started reaching higher levels of BP.]

[puzzlinglad]

It seems that way. We should have two 'events' hosted by Calhoun now, if history is repeating itself, and then after another round of new rooms.

[That was an extremely good point. Honestly Hershel couldn't even begin to imagine how hard this was for Sasuke and the newer people, coming in at these rooms, coming in having to wonder if someone in the group had murdered another player. It was beyond terrible.] That's true... and at this rate the traps may start becoming fatal. [He hand hovered near his neck a moment before he dropped it.] Even a simple mistake could mean the entire team suffering far worse than a few cuts and bruises.

[not_that_sasuke]

...Events? [Somehow, he's not... terribly excited at those prospects.]

...I don't think he would make any single trap lethal, but if someone kept setting them off...

[Hell, that could already be a problem now. Just how many people in the group came out of this round looking worse for wear? Don't think he didn't notice your teammates, Hershel.]

[puzzlinglad]

I can be both, you know. [sort of teasing but yeah this is a bit too serious for that, he takes a moment to collect his thoughts before saying:]

I know I must come off as naive but I do think about what I'm doing. If we both gave seven or eight BP we'd be down to eleven and ten respectively. It's a loss, of course, but it's not below nine and frankly my only concern would be leaving Jake without someone to get medical supplies for him should his injuries get worse.

... I don't want to make this about owing you, though I really do. You really are my friend, Ema, losing you to some... some infection or illness, that's- [he glances down] Maybe I'm just selfish and don't want to have to rib that prat Jake alone, or stop hearing about ridiculous things like prison wine or new and steadily more ridiculous ways I should change my fashion sense.

[he never shuts up. he glances up to her almost nervously.] Just once, accept my help here?

[puzzlinglad]

[Hershel makes a face.] Last time we played a rip off of Mario Party and afterwards bingo. It was um... not like normal bingo, you filled the card by doing the various activities listed on the squares- singing, playing a game, punching someone.

[Serious murder games.] Honestly... it was almost pleasant compared to the puzzle rooms. I don't have high hopes it will remain that way, for what it's worth.

[And look, Jake and Ema are just magical super stars he certainly can't control. He sighs, remembering all the traps set off this round. Some intentionally. Enjolras.] We're really very lucky none have been fatal. If any of those knives had hit someone in the neck, even in the first round...

*now* I can reference these

[not_that_sasuke]

So it's an excuse to make us run around entertaining him?

[Punching people, though... Well, he supposes that shouldn't be all that surprising, either, given the circumstances.]

There were knives in each of the rooms this round, too. It's like he's trying to suggest something...