[Text] S03E03: Shit Gets Real

[manicurious]

[Ichijou has received a very alarming message, which despite the general secrecy surrounding anything to do with Nathan he just can't keep to himself. He's trying to maintain a calm tone via text, but in person he's, well, clearly more than a little upset.]

I received a message overnight from the device of my emergency contact in response to one of my distress calls. It isn't him. I don't know who it is or what they've done with my contact. The message reads:

There is nothing for him to say as he does not know you are saying anything at all. Your words fall on ears unable to hear.

And soon, you will have no breathe with which to utter them.

I'm at a loss here. Aside from attempting negotiations, I can only think of one possible measure to take as a last resort...

Comments

[text]

[terezi_pyrope]

[welp.]

4 THR34T
UNT1L FURTH3R 3V1D3NC3 PR3S3NTS 1TS3LF W3 C4N 4SSUM3 TH4T YOUR CONT4CT 1S SOM3WH3R3 LOCK3D UP OR D34D

WH4T M34SUR3 DO YOU H4V3 1N M1ND?

[manicurious]

That's assuming we all live long enough to see that further evidence.

There's a room that I'm forbidden to enter or allow entry to on this side. I don't know exactly what is in it. I do know that it's important. Extremely important. And it's the only idea I have.

I can deal with waiting on outside interference or some sort of clue if the only foreseeable consequence is a hungry stomach. But now it sounds like whoever this is really intends to go in for the kill.

[terezi_pyrope]

1 WOULD L1K3 TO TH1NK W3 WOULD
W3R3 NOT GO1NG TO GO DOWN TH4T 34SY
1 R3FUS3 TO B3L13V3 1T!

WOULD TH1S ROOM H4PP3N TO B3 B3YOND TH3 LOCK3D DOOR?

31TH3R W4Y 1T S33MS TO B3 TH3 ONLY CHO1C3 L3FT R1GHT NOW
SO 1 SUGG3ST 1T B3 DON3
4ND 1F TH3R3S 4NYTH1NG 1 C4N DO TO H3LP 1 W4NT TO KNOW

[manicurious]

That may be true of you and the others. I don't know how much more stress I can physically handle. I've felt ill ever since I was first locked in here and I'll only keep getting weaker. The only thing that's been a source of relief is the morphine-like effect of the Chairman's wine bowl. Even that isn't worth having to listen to the disembodied voice of the worst individual I've ever had to deal with in my entire life...

The point is, if things start getting lethal I guarantee that I'll be the first or close to the first to succumb to it. That's just the way it is.

Now, the room I'm considering; yes, it's on this side. I don't know if you can do anything to help. I don't even know if accessing that part of the lab will improve anything.

[terezi_pyrope]

4R3 YOU S1CK W1TH SOM3 K1ND OF W31RD 4L13N T3RM1N4L D1S34S3?

B3S1D3S TH4T, TH1S K1ND OF T4LK 1S NONS3NS3
YOU N33D TO K33P YOURS3LF TOG3TH3R!!

R34L STR3NGTH 1SNT 4LW4YS 4BOUT R4W MUSCL3 4LL OF TH3 T1M3 4ND 1V3 S33N HUM4NS WHO H4V3 B33N JUST L1K3 YOU BUT M4D3 1T THROUGH L3TH4L S1TU4T1ONS L1K3 TH3S3 OR WORS3

YOU WONT KNOW 1F YOU DONT TRY

[manicurious]

What? No. It's not a disease, it's a result of stress. From worrying, loneliness, fear, that sort of thing. A horrible pain in my gut has always been my response to unfortunate goings-on.

And anyway
I think we've thoroughly established that I'm human and you're not.

And this is going to sound terribly rude no matter how I ask it.

But what are you, exactly?

[terezi_pyrope]

HMM W3LL TH4TS 4 COMPL3T3LY N3W CONC3PT TO M3
K1ND OF

OF COURS3 1TS RUD3 >:]
BUT 1 DONT M1ND

1M WH4T YOU C4LL 4N 4LT3RN14N TROLL WHO OBV1OUSLY C4M3 FROM 4 PL4N3T N4M3D 4LT3RN14
W3 4LL LOOK S1M1L14R
C4NDY C4N3 COLOR3D HORNS TH4T M4Y B3 1N D1FF3R3NT SH4P3S W1TH GR3Y SK1N 4ND BL4CK H41R
W3 4LSO T3ND TO BL33D D1FF3R3NTLY FROM HUM4NS

1M NOT SUR3 1F T3LL1NG YOU MOR3 WOULD C4US3 YOU TO ST4ND TH3R3 FOR3V3R OR NOT BUT TH4TS 4LL TH3R3 1S TO 1T

[manicurious]

Usually I can settle it down to some extent with medicine but of course whoever is in charge now won't even grant me that.

I do have another question about you Trolls, but I should probably save it for later...

It's amusing how you think I'd be standing at a time like this instead of, for example, curled up and wedged into a corner crying somewhere. Why do you think I'm choosing not to show my face or let anyone hear my voice right now?

[terezi_pyrope]

TH4T SUCKS >:\

1LL B3 W41T1NG FOR YOU TO 4SK WH3N YOU G3T B4CK FROM TH4T M1SS1ON OF YOURS

1 THOUGHT YOUD B3 PR3P4R1NG YOURS3LF M3NT4LLY TO V3NTUR3 R1GHT 1N 4ND D1DNT W4NT TO SHOW YOUR F4C3 1N 4 HUM4N V3RS1ON OF COOL BR4V4DO OR SOM3TH1NG >:]

[manicurious]

No, that's the exact opposite of what is happening right now. I'm actually impressed at how wrong your assumption is.

[terezi_pyrope]

1CH1JOU
1F TH3R3S 4NY 4DV1C3 1 COULD 1MP4RT TO YOU TH4T 1 HOP3 M4Y B3 H3LPFUL
1TS NOT TO COMPL3T3LY L3T YOURS3LF G3T TOO DOWN ON YOURS3LF WH3N YOUR3 1N 4 CR1T1C4L MOM3NT

[manicurious]

I'm utterly terrified and I feel like my insides are trying to escape the confines of my skin. Optimism is a bit out of my reach right now.

[terezi_pyrope]

1F NOT OPT1M1SM TH3N WOULD TH3 POSS1B1L1TY OF SOM3ON3 LURK1NG 1N TH3 SH4DOWS 4BOUT TO DO T3RR1BL3 TH1NGS TO YOU 3NCOUR4G3 YOU TO MOV3 FURTH3R >:?

4ND WH1L3 YOUR3 1N TH3R3 M4YB3 YOU COULD H3LP US 1NV3ST1G4T3 WH3R3 TH4T OTH3R SOUND 1S COM1NG FROM

[manicurious]

Well
that depends on what shadows they're lurking in exactly. Because if they were lurking nearby there is a small chance that I could take them by surprise.

And then kill and eat them.

That would solve so many of my problems at once.

Wait, what "other sound?"

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie doesn't bother with text, meaning Ichijou can see her shocked and outraged expression] Mr. Ichijou, when did you last hear from him before this? And what exactly did you have in mind for a response?

[because Sophie looks angry enough to do just about anything at the moment]

[manicurious]

Not since quite a while before all of you returned. I have no idea how long he's been in his current state, whatever that is.

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but while all of you are trapped on the "town" side of things, I've been stranded in the laboratory area. There is one room that I have yet to investigate for anything helpful, since part of the conditions of my being allowed to stay here required that I not allow anyone, even myself, into that room. I dislike the idea, but I'm considering breaking that rule.

[There's a lengthy pause before the next line sends.]

I would have been so happy to see you, Miss Sophie, if everything wasn't falling apart like this.

[fortune_sought]

[dismissively] I'd heard about that, yes. And it's good to speak to you, Mr Ichijou, but... [she pauses, scowling. she certainly doesn't want to make Ichijou's situation worse, but his suggestion about the room sounds like the only productive thing that they can do] I'm afraid you might be right. That room could yield something useful. But was it Na--I mean, your contact who forbade you from entering it to begin with?

[manicurious]

You're right of course. He was the one who set that rule. Maybe I'm just not in my right mind at the moment. You know I'm not one for breaking rules or bravery.

Well, I suppose it's not really bravery. It's about as brave as a crab that's about to be boiled snapping its claws at the chef.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie gives him--well, the CAT, at any rate--a stern look] Mr Ichijou, do stop saying such things! The situation certainly isn't hopeless, though obviously it's your decision whether to enter that room now or to wait. Otherwise, we simply continue what we've been doing already and watch for any more changes. So do please calm down!

[manicurious]

You're always so sensible.

I typically trust my own judgements, but right now I feel like my thought processes have started twisting and unravelling significantly. I've even become so hungry that I've seriously considered eating things that aren't even digestible just to put something in my stomach.

It's unsettling - no matter how much I try to pull myself together, I can't seem to avoid thinking things that I shouldn't be thinking.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's expression is one of rather horrified concern] Have you and Agent Washington run out of food?

[she nods. if he hasn't eaten, then she can imagine why his judgment would be influenced] Then it sounds to me like exploring that room is the only option that might change your situation immediately. Don't you agree?

[not that she isn't still worried about his safety, but if they're out of food, it hardly seems like it could get much worse--she hopes]

[luke_triton]

Who is "him?"

[Until Luke figures out how to say things in blue he is not texting you back.]

[manicurious]

A very important friend of ours. Even under the current circumstances, I don't know if it's safe to divulge much of anything about him.

[luke_triton]

So you're just going to let half of you know and the rest of us don't?

[manicurious]

If that's how you'd like to think of it, yes.

[luke_triton]

That's not fair! How are we supposed to help if we don't know what's going on?

[manicurious]

That's an exaggeration. You know what's going on, you just don't know who's involved. You can make up generic names if you'd like.

[luke_triton]

But making up names isn't going to help solve anything!

[voice]

[desertdaggers]

Aren't they just the most charming captors you've ever met.

I wonder if they'd even allow negotiations, though. What is that measure, then?

[manicurious]

I still like Resarci better. If he's secretly involved in this even after fleeing, I will be taking it as a personal insult.

If I live for long enough to be able to feel insulted, anyway.

I have yet to respond to the message that I received. I mean, I can attempt to talk to them, but I don't know how far it'll go. That message seemed pretty decisive.

My desperate measure is to attempt to access Lab 3. I don't know if it'll have any benefit, I just have a feeling. And while I'm not typically one to go with hunches, I don't know what else to do.

[desertdaggers]

I don't think it seems right for him, but I could be wrong. Either way, I'm not too thrilled.

You could make it a goal.

I agree. It doesn't sound as though they're inviting a response. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't. Messages to them might net us another response that tell us a little more.

You won't know if you don't try. I say go for it.

[manicurious]

I suppose I should at least try to say something. Every option that I have could potentially make our situation much, much worse.

[desertdaggers]

I think it's better than just waiting around, though.

[video, 'cause Flynn is just about a one-trick pony with the CAT usually]

[gothelproof]

[Flynn's expression is drawn as he flicks his video feed on to reply. Normally he'd have a little of the teasing smirk he seems to save especially for Ichijou, but not today.]

Ichijou, [Nope, not even a 'Red'. Flynn isn't liking this newest event.] how long ago did that come in? Have you heard anything else?

[Flynn frowns, looking away from the CAT, then moving -- from what can be seen around him, he was in his town house but is now heading out, hoping to see some sign of something outside. He just... doesn't know what to look for.]

I know we have our differences, but can you fill me in on the last resort?

[manicurious]

Don't you give me that "differences" talk - to me that implies that I can put aside how much I dislike you. That isn't happening any time soon, or perhaps ever.

However; I dislike the idea of all of us dying even more. Just barely.

Your answers:

Three hours ago.
I never sent a reply and did not receive anything else.
I'm thinking about trying to enter the only room that I was forbidden to access while I was all alone.

[video] (ooc: Sorry I'm so late :'( So many hours of work...)

[gothelproof]

[Flynn makes a face before laying on the sarcasm.] Okay, maybe "differences" was undercutting our mutual love for each other just a little bit...

Anyway. Any idea what might be in that room?

[text]

[tactilekonesis]

I'd take that possible measure. At this point, it doesn't sound like you've got anything to lose.

[manicurious]

I've attempted to open up a dialogue, since that seems like the safest option. And if that doesn't work, I'll really try to access that place.

I just wish that literally anyone else had received that message.

[text]

[wind_of_reason]

[This is very alarming indeed. This is not the first time their lives have been threatened...]

Normally I would suggest negotiations first. It seems that the chances are very small that this person can be reasoned with, but we need to be able to say that we've tried everything.

Mister Ichijou, in regards to your last resort- are you feeling incredibly delirious, or that you have nothing to loose?

[Which is to say, she think she knows what he's planning, but she wonders which is driving him to it.]

[manicurious]

I absolutely do feel that I have nothing to lose.

But is it really possible to objectively and accurately describe oneself as delirious while in the throes of it?

[wind_of_reason]

Perhaps not. But please hold on a little longer.

Should one of us try to negotiate with the person who sent you that message?

[manicurious]

Acting quickly was never really a concern in the first place. Obviously you can't see it, but I'm shaking so hard that I don't think I'd be able to stand up to get to the proper place anyway.

Since I was the one who received the initial contact, I should probably be the one to take on that responsibility. I'll keep you updated if I receive any additional responses.

[wind_of_reason]

You're doing very well under such trying circumstances.

Thank you.

As you have said, you are the one who wants to be here. I do hope that fact gives you an advantage in your negotiations.
Good luck!