unknownseas | WEEK 6

Another week, another three lost - and this time all to one murder case. And that's to say nothing of the execution, or whatever went on with that ouija board that still sits in the library... strange things are afoot in the facility, and some of them not even your captor seems fully equipped to explain.

The other of the two doors in the main living area finally opens after another lost Saturday, and what lies beyond is... strange, to say the least. Looks like there's no shortage of changes, even in the architecture. It certainly seems like you should have gotten something like this before the water park at the very least, don't you think?

Angel's still out and about at night, if you want to be found. And who knows what else you might find if you're out alone? Apparently, you might have a ghost on your hands.

SUNDAY | MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY

[ooc: Welcome to Week 6! If you want Angel or to try your hand at the ouija, please make sure to note in your toplevel, same as an investigation! AC is over here, regains are here, and, well...

You've all got a new app on your devices! Use it wisely. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You think I'm happy about it? For all we know, it's just another one of the Professor's tricks, getting us to trust the word of someone we don't even really know exists.

Could be.

[He thinks that one through, idly tugging his scarf further from his throat.]

Don't know how that fits in with the current pattern. Dangling hope of rescue in front of us is bound to make some less likely to do what he wants. Granted, it worked in his favor with Nova.

Maybe. But everyone keeps talking about how he could be using our... emotions. Harvesting them, or something.

Right. But there are only certain ones he wants. Huh...

Hope or despair, anger... make up some savior, and it could go whatever way he wants it to. Everyone here still believes too easily.

Yeah. They do. You're right, it's something to keep in mind, though he did sound like he was losing his grip at the end, there. With Nova, I mean. The interference with her execution.

And Zelos. [ Which is a lot less literal than what happened with Nova, but as a clinically chill-free individual, she'd certainly classify that sudden attitude shift as "losing his grip." ] Whatever that was.

...I think that wasn't the Professor at all.

[ Huh. ]

Then who was it?

My first guess is Angel, honestly. She's the one who has any contact with us. She's the one who calls us by name.

You think the voice we're hearing isn't actually what he sounds like, in other words.

[Nod.]

Maybe sometimes it is. But Ema told me technology can do that kind of thing. Make voices sound different from how they really are.

It would have to be something he's giving her access to, then. You think she watches the trials?

I know she does. She told me.

By choice? Or is that one of her duties?

Duty, I think. I get the impression she's always watching us.

Huh.

... well, if it's mostly her monitoring us, at least it's not him.

Small mercies. And if it was her, it'd explain why the "Professor" sounded so... sad during that trial.

[He glances up at Jasper as though he's aware that might require explanation.]

Humans get attached to things they pay attention to, even if it's a one-way deal. Rhea said Seteth never sought out the Professor or Angel, but watching us go about our days here... she probably tells herself stories about what's going on in our heads. Makes herself fond of us, while we aren't even aware.

Sounds like a liability. But [ an awkward beat ] you're social organisms. It must get lonely with only the Professor to report to.

[He's less confused by the term "social organism" than he is surprised that Jasper knows a word like "lonely." It gives him a moment's pause.]

It's different for Gems?

[ Oh boy she's said too much again!!! Just like with the concept of drowning a week or so later, she quickly says: ]

It's supposed to be. But it's not like most of us work completely alone.

[Half a beat, and he nods again. He likes Jasper. He doesn't see any need to press her about something like that.]

Then yeah. Figure it's worse for someone like Angel. She's...

[What's the right word.]

Nice. Friendly.

Seems like it. I wouldn't know.

[ She only entered her room to talk to her once, and it was really just to yell about Rose! Who's surprised? Nobody is surprised. ]

You've been talking to her a lot, have you.

[He dithers a bit before shrugging.]

Once or twice a week. I stop by sometime after each trial.

[ Sounds like he knows about getting attached firsthand, Jasper thinks and chooses not to express in a truly dizzying display of emotional literacy. ]

Probably for the best. Even if she's mostly useless as a combatant, it's still better to have her as an ally than an enemy.

(no subject)

bolderfell - 2020-05-25 14:30 (UTC) - Expand