❧ Time is Running Out

[luministimods]

[while the music still plays, the two voices beyond the door finally stop arguing for a moment. if anyone is listening, they can hear this:]

[the first voice is obviously Resarci's--accented as always. his tone is firm] I think I've said all that I can.

[the other person sighs wearily. as he begins to speak, it becomes obvious that this is Mayor Caligin, though there is no trace of his usually-cheerful tone] I know, Ernesto, but I still cannot believe they... [he trails off] I never thought it would come to this.

[there is sympathy in Resarci's tone, but that firmness doesn't fade] Neither did I, but it doesn't change what's most important here. The project must be successful. As it is now, the subjects are too unwilling for our testing to proceed as planned.

[he pauses] Yes. Yes...you're right. [sighs again, and there is a beeping sound, followed by humming]

What is it you have done?

Only put up a barrier. They cannot reach you this way.

Ohhh! Brilliant, Constantine--as always. [his tone picks up with excitement] Now, shall we initiate the protocol? It will bring the project back on track. I guarantee!

[Caligin's tone, however, is subdued] Not quite yet.

[confused] But...why wait?

I want to speak to them first. After...everything, I owe them that much.

If you insist, Constantine, but remember--it is for the good of the project.

[a brief pause before Caligin says] Of course.

Then we shall talk again when it is done. I must prepare! [footsteps are heard against the floor, fading into the distance]

[suddenly, the doors fly open and happy, bright music practically bursts out, along with puffs of white confetti from two confetti guns. inside is a grand ballroom with expensive, vast crystal chandeliers hanging along the ceiling and around each one are swathes of white cloth tied off to give the whole room the feel of being in a giant tent. white and yellow rose bouquets in grand vases in the shape of lions bookend rows of chairs facing a flowered trellis, and beneath it is--Mayor Caligin himself.]

[only...while color floods the entire ballroom, Caligin is physically in grayscale, just like every broadcast of his has been. he extends his arms, grinning at the people in the room beyond and starts to speak.]

Welcome and hello to my most illustrious citizens! I hope you have enjoyed your stay in my humble abode. The joyous occasion you have been waiting for has finally arrived--!

--Is what I would love to say. [his smile fades as he steps down away from the trellis] However, there won't be any such ceremony today. What a shame, too. [he clicks a button on a small remote in his hand, and everything but the chairs shimmers and dissolves, the music stopping, revealing thousands of security screens set all around the room, each one watching a spot in town or inside the mayoral house itself. just in front of Caligin, however, a sheen like an oily spot can be seen stretching from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling.]

I am--[he pauses for a moment]--disappointed it has come to this. We could have done so much good for so many people together... [he glances down at the remote in his hand] But I'm afraid it is time to say good-bye.


[ooc: You heard the Mayor--this is your one chance to speak to him. He is about to initiate a protocol recommended by Resarci. What he actually does comes down to all of you and your actions right now. This plot will run for one week real-time, during which characters can speak to the Mayor on this post. This is it, citizens! Can you convince the Mayor not to do what Resarci is planning? And as for what that is...well, hopefully, you won't have to see.]

Comments

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[With a desire to eke out even more clues, curiosity had overcome Fuu. Figuring that it was too late to worry about how improper it might look, she set herself down at the locked door with a water glass and started trying to eavesdrop.
For a long time she heard only music and indistinct, arguing voices, but then, finally, something else comes through...]


[Concentrating deeply as she listens to the conversation, she is completely taken by surprise as the doors burst open, sending her scurrying. As she turns and takes in everything - the greyscale Mayor, the ballroom, the dissolving of it into a ...spy center, the weird sheen that is doubtless the barrier he'd mentioned, and the Mayor's speech - her eyes grow wider and wider at each item.]

[Oddly, the first thought that floats to the top of her mind in all this is, the Mayor was in colour in that promotional video. What is he doing in black-and-white?]


[But at the Mayor bidding them farewell, Fuu is gripped with a sense of foreboding. She steps towards him, reaching out a hand and cries out urgently.]

Wait, Mayor! Please.
[Blushing as she realizes what a forceful reaction that had been she quickly adds,] You said you wanted to speak with us. Please don't say farewell so hastily.


[ooc: would it be all right to say "if there is a character who wants to join in this conversation at some point please do so? (because Fuu would love the support XD)", or are we kinda on our own?]

[luministimods]

Then speak, Miss Hououji. We still have some time left. [slips the remote into his pocket, then clasps his hands behind his back]


[ooc: Sure, you can say that! We're leaving it up to you guys whether you want to team up or go at it individually. Also, if you'd like Sara, Sophie, or the Doctor in particular, feel free to specify. We'd be happy to get the mod characters involved with other residents.]

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

[bows] I will do my best to use it wisely then.

I - we all - have many, many questions for you, but in light of what is happening right now, and about to happen, I suppose some of them will have to wait. [But then, where to start? She takes a deep breath.]

Mayor, could you please tell us all your intention with this 'project'? The 'revitalization of the human body', what is it for?

[Because if they can understand that, perhaps they can convince him of another way - a way without whatever Resarci is intending to do.]


[ooc: Alright! If anyone feels that their character would like to jump in at any point in this conversation, please do so! ^.^ Fuu knows that everyone has different ways of speaking their mind and convincing people - Sophie's bluntness, Brax and the Doctor's reasoning, Xion's kind heart, and so on - and she hopes they'll just chime in if something moves them. (And good to know she can call on those guys for support too! ^.~)]

[luministimods]

[he is silent for a moment before responding] Have you ever lost a loved one or someone you cared about? Perhaps you have or perhaps not; you are still so very young, after all.

[wind-of-reason.livejournal.com]

There-- there was one person. I didn't know her well, but I cared for her. But even that one experience... [it hurt terribly.]

[luministimods]

[softly] Then wouldn't you try anything to bring that person back?

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

What... What does that have to do with anything? You can't... [Revitalization of the human body? Lost a loved one? But -- ] How was this supposed to...

[Xion's eyes instinctively cast around the room, her expression dark and panicked. Where's the Doctor? She lost track of him when everyone came in.]

[bit_impossible]

[he comes up from behind, resting a hand on her shoulder before he steps up beside her] The revitalisation of the body...a lost loved one... Xion, he's trying to play Frankenstein. Revive the dead--isn't that right, Caligin?

[irreversibly.livejournal.com]

[She jumps a little, but relaxes.] But that... It isn't possible. [Her brow knits, chin ducking a little.] Right?

[luministimods]

[Caligin merely nods, a short, wry laugh escaping his lips] Correct, except unlike the good Dr. Frankenstein, I had no body I could stitch together and pump full of electricity.

And why can't I? I have the means and money to research something like this, so why not?

[bit_impossible]

[frowns severely] It shouldn't be possible. Everything has its time, and everything has to die eventually.

[desertdaggers]

[he's been listening, but the wall of screens has been very unnerving]

It's still very recent for me. And I was… [he looks away, then squares his shoulders and looks back] But I wasn't the only one. And my companions back home suffered their own losses.

…are you all right? You look a little… [motions up and down his own body]

[luministimods]

Wouldn't you want to try anything to bring them back? Cease their suffering?

[he deliberately ignores the query about his current state]

[desertdaggers]

…I think of what we could have done differently… but we didn't. It's done. And I don't believe that people suffer when they're dead.

[frowns] Mayor. With all this… are you looking after yourself?

[luministimods]

I am not about to get into semantics or belief systems about what happens to the soul--if you believe there is one--of a person after death.

[okay, he can't ignore that now. curiously:] Of course I am. I have always been in the peak of health.

[desertdaggers]

So what kind of suffering would the dead be rescued from? Shouldn't we worry about those who are alive?

Are you sure? It's just- you're looking a little out of sorts. Or out of place, perhaps. I'm sure those who care for you would worry when they saw you.

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[Grimmjow stalks into the room not long after his conversation with the sheriff. (http://community.livejournal.com/luministi/24755.html) he sees the screens, yeah. he sees the mayor.

his expression is as calm as it gets - for him.

but there's something murderous in his eyes. an intent to finish things, his own way if he has to. the only facts he needs to act he knows already: their lives are in the hand of the man right in front of him. and unlike the rest of the weak things in this town, he's not afraid to take their lives back, by force if he has to.

there's no way that can end well.

someone had best stop him before he gets to the mayor]


((OOC: R...really. Grimmjow's intent is to kill before they're killed, SO UH other characters are free to jump in and stop him))

[luministimods]

[Caligin notices this and doesn't react; doesn't take a step away or show any fear. what reason does he when he's already taken the safety precaution needed to prevent any physical harm to his person? not that he needs the help...]

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

[at least the asshole of a mayor isn't a coward.

when he's still a good ten feet away, Grimmjow suddenly disappears--]

Fuck you!

[--and reappears behind the mayor, hauling back his arm and aiming his hand for the back of his head.

he'll be taking it right off his shoulders]

[luministimods]

[and suddenly, Grimmjow finds himself back on the other side of the barrier because, surprise! he can't truly cross it.]

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

Shit!

[and he had that all planned out in his head.

to his credit, he doesn't fall. he just stands there, seething, his hand curling into a shaking fist] What is it gonna take to get rid of you?!

[luministimods]

[and to Caligin's, he doesn't look fazed at all]

We have only just met properly and you want to get rid of me already? I was right to initiate those security protocols. [well...only part of them, anyway]

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

Why shouldn't I?

[jabs a finger in his direction] You're the one in charge here. You're the one keeping us like rats in a cage.

Fuck that. I have places to be that aren't here!

[fortune_sought]

[stalks angrily up to Grimmjow, giving him the sort of glare that turns fertilizer into weedkiller, her hands balled into fists at her sides] And attacking him will get you there faster, will it? Is that how we all get home? Attack until nothing's left? Hmph! What a ridiculous notion! Do you want him to use...[gestures at the Mayor]...whatever it is he can on us!?

[grimmjerk.livejournal.com]

What's stopping him from using it now?

You?

[gets right up in her face] Whatever he wants, you obviously can't give it to him!