Week 3

[airlockedmods]

[Four people dead now - six, if you include the crew. Things have been a little rough on the Starfield Penitentiary this week. Blaze Dudely doesn't make a public reappearance during the weekend, so you've got a few days to yourselves to recover, though he's probably still sticking to his office hours if you really feel like going to see him. On Sunday morning, you may find that you're recovering a a few other things as well - both strange dreams and some new items.

In addition, there's a new set of doors at the end of the corridor, by that empty space where you'd been having your fight club. Looks like you've got a new wing to explore.]



Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( ooc: Don't forget to turn in your AC for Week 2, submit your memory regains, and put in your benefactor threads! ))

Comments

[tenimuho]

Someone else here received a photo I only had taken the day before I came here. -The last day I remembered before I came here, I mean.

[goldrighthand]

[...there are some implications here. Akande's quiet for a few moments, watching Oda toss the ball if he's so inclined. Then, after another moment?

He approaches, holding up his hands at his chest. Pass it here.]

How long do you think they observed us before selecting us for this...program?

[tenimuho]

[Oda passes Akande the ball.]

Hard to say. If we're selected on the basis of our crimes, and if those were real crimes for everyone, then... Possibly years.

[goldrighthand]

[He shoots, he...misses. WHELP.]

We were selected on one crime, if Doctor Price spoke truth. [he's gonna go pick up the ball now] But watching us through time and space, just for that...it seems ridiculous.

[tenimuho]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, then it's been nine years since I last committed that crime. Why take me now and not sooner?

[If it's murder that's their common thread.]

[goldrighthand]

It is. [He can read that implication, thanks.] And some of them no doubt already regret their actions. What would they gain from this?

[This whole thing stinks. He tries again - it actually bounces off the rim this time]

[tenimuho]

...Dr. Price may not have expected the takeover, genuinely, but he has higher-ups. Bringing us here for 'rehabilitation' - that might not be the goal. That might just be the inciting incident.

[What causes the plot to start in earnest.]

[goldrighthand]

Exactly. He is a pawn. As were the cook and janitor.

[maybe if he dribbles this time he'll have better luck]

I wonder if Blaze understands he is one, as well.

[tenimuho]

He's the antagonist. A story needs an antagonist to be interesting.

[It doesn't have to be human - or cyborg - but there has to be something for the heroes to struggle against.]

He may understand that, and just not mind playing the role.

[goldrighthand]

[dribbling does not, in fact, help. making a face, Akande will toss the ball back to Oda.]

He's either getting paid or they have something over him. But yes, he's clearly enjoying himself.

Perhaps the way to get out of this is to stop being entertaining.

[tenimuho]

[Oda focuses for a second, dribbles a little, then makes his shot. Cue ball through the net, confetti and victory horns.]

He did say not to bore him.

[goldrighthand]

[show-off. not that he's complaining, he's just watching Oda's hands and how he throws the ball.]

He has ways to manipulate us. If we do not react to one thing, he will continue trying until he does get a response.

[So - what, then? He furrows his brow. The weaker will absolutely crack and break, and leave the rest of them to pick up their pieces or risk death - which will be entertaining in itself. They can't not react, given enough stress.

So then...what?]

This is well-designed. My compliments to those in charge.

[One of these cameras has to lead back to them, right?]

[tenimuho]

[Oda picks up the ball and passes it back to Akande to give it another try.]

Even if you already know that boring him might get you out, there are some things people can't help but react to.

[goldrighthand]

Exactly.

[Raise, and-]

You would react if he threatened your children.

[bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oh look who made a basket]

[tenimuho]

I would.

[No sense denying it.]

...Even if we know that what he wants is entertainment, and that if we just remain as boring as possible, we might escape, there are some things more important than escape, at least to some of us.

odafist intensifies

[goldrighthand]

[He can respect that. No judging here, dude.]

I hope it does not come to that, at least for you. I would hate to sentence you to death.

[You're actually a Cool Person in his books. He goes to pick up the ball.]

Being boring is not our way out. But there has to be another way. Amusingly, I think we were more trapped here before the takeover.

[tenimuho]

Same to you.

[He likes Akande, and would prefer he didn't die at all.]

Blaze has given us clear ways we could get out. Difficult and unpleasant for many of us, but they're there, if he keeps his word.

[goldrighthand]

[At least they'd have their show, right? Akande vs dinosaur, winner take all, FIGHT]

Not only that. Assume he has his reasons - whether money, favors, or the like.

What if we gave him a better one to keep us alive?

[He's touched on it with Rick, in the past - but let's toss the ball with Oda, so to speak. Also literally, here it comes, dude, catch]

[tenimuho]

[He catches it, and dribbles it for a few moments while he thinks.]

That's possible. It would depend on knowing what he wants, and that would depend on knowing him - but he does have office hours.

[goldrighthand]

The opportunity is there. Whether or not anyone takes advantage of it...

[He shrugs slightly.]

[tenimuho]

I'll consider it. Others would be better suited to talking to him than me, I'm not very good at getting along with people I dislike.

[Oda passes the ball back to Akande.]

[goldrighthand]

I tend to be on a different footing with them.

[He'll catch it and dribble a bit as well]

...let us assume we convince him. That this stops, by whatever means. Then what?

[tenimuho]

My priority, and I think one shared by some of the others, is finding out how we were brought here and whether or not we can go back the way we came.

-As you've said, everyone we care about are just insignificant specks in the universe. I don't disagree. But as another insignificant speck, I don't think I was meant to look at things from the universe's perspective.

If that's not possible, or not desirable, then I suppose the next question is 'where do we go instead'.

[goldrighthand]

[Ah, yes. His rant. Akande...actually goes quiet for a few long moments, then sighs as he stops dribbling the ball.]

I did not say it well.

[To say the least.]

It is not about being insignificant. But do you remember your ancestors of five thousand years ago? Do you know your lineage?...I do not, aside from two or three generations.

Most of what is remembered are the atrocities. Wars. And achievements. The culmination of history, piled upon the remains of the previous.

[He lines off a shot...and takes it.]

Oda, while you may not be a warrior like me...your writings may endure better than whatever legacy I create. I respect you for that.

[Aaaand he misses.]

[tenimuho]

[Oda can't help but smile at that.]

I would like to think they'll last. But you're right, I don't know my own lineage. I think most people can't go very far back.

...But, I think your impact will be felt for a long time. Ripples of what we did may still be going even when no one remembers your name or mine.