❧ Allow Me to Introduce Myself

[luministimods]

[Once the black spots from the flash of light go away, the otherworlders will find themselves in a large room filled with boxes, computer equipment similar to that seen in Lab #4, and a seemingly ancient camera resting to the side of someone fast at work at a computer terminal. If they look behind them, they'll see the air duct grate that most of them had seen before being transported out of it and brought back to proper size. (The others had seen the one leading back into Lab #4.) They'll also see a door with the label "Lab #5" next to the doorjamb, but it won't open if anyone tries to pry it open.

A frustrated noise comes from the person working at the terminal. A black fedora rests atop of the man's head as he furiously enters commands and mutters under his breath, his back to the group of people suddenly in the room with him. Several screens flicker past as he scrolls through various security camera feeds. All pomposity is gone from his rough tone of voice as he growls at the terminal.]

No, no, no! Where have they gone?! [His gaze turns towards a second terminal beside him, the screen simply counting down how long it'll take before a transfer completes--and it's less than an hour. He frowns severely at it--before he becomes aware that there are other people in the room with him. Stiffly, he looks over his shoulder at them, not moving for a second.]

So...that is his game, eh? [Ferran lets out a small chuckle and slowly turns his chair around to face them, one hand moving to tip his hat forward a bit over his smirking face.]

Go on, then. [He finishes swiveling around, crossing one leg over the other as he gestures towards the group.] Do what you will.

[On the computer screen behind him, the words "DISTRACT HIM" appear on-screen for the otherworlders to see.]


Plot Details: Allow Me to Introduce Myself - **Quick-time Endgame Event**

This is it, everyone. The penultimate plot post, and who better to head it up than the man himself? Of course, he didn't seem too happy to see them there, but Ferran is a man who adapts easily to situations thrown at him.

The question is: what all are you going to do?

You have free reign to do what you want. Talk to Ferran, yell at him, attack him, try to escape the room, search the boxes, stand there befuddled because "omg I was in that air duct a moment ago and was tiny but now am normal-sized again wtf.", etc etc. Seriously. You all saw what happened to Nathan when Filippo shot him. He was only out for a few minutes, and Ferran's anchor is still alive so he'll come back no matter what people do. Kill him as many times as you want. He kinda deserves it.

Oh right, there is the matter of that computer terminal counting something down... Everyone heard different things in the air duct; those who went away from the "wind" heard things related to Nathan, while the others got to hear things happening relatively at that moment. Time was skewed and bet a bit in there, but the one that wasn't involved a countdown that Kon, John, and Luke heard. It's counting down how long it'll take before a transferring process is complete and there is less than an hour left. (Granted, that might make it seem like the world's slowest computer considering it's in the future, but the program being transferred is gigantic.) But what is being transferred? Why did everyone hear that they heard--and who got them out of the air duct? Because it sure as hell wasn't Ferran who pulled them out. If he had his druthers, he would have left them to get creeped out by fake spiders, rats, and lord knows what else until they were reduced to, well, it's probably best the whole thing was interrupted.

Well, one thing is for sure: Nathan is still out there, so there is a good chance he's in a position to help everyone if that message behind Ferran says anything.

Your goals: Distract Ferran, and Nathan will do what he can to aid and poke people so they can stop the transferring process and locate certain items so everyone can finally go home once and for all.

I'm going to give us through the 30th of November--or until we accomplish our main objectives if we go past that time for this plot. There are six objectives total, but only three of them are absolutely vital to stopping Ferran. To give you a hint at what the hidden ones might be (and in case you wanted to ask Ferran anything), I've compiled a list of the questions you all wanted to know the answers to. You can find it here! There were some I was able to answer now as I didn't think they'd come up in the course of a natural conversation or anything, but there were common themes to the questions asked that I couldn't answer there.

Anyway, below I'm putting a list of the objectives and their status! I'd love to accomplish them all if we have the time for them.



Objectives! Objective #1 = Find out what the transfer is and stop it. | Status: Done! Objective #2 = Find the negatives Nathan spoke of. | Status: Found! Objective #3 = Find the photos of everyone in the game. | Status: Found! Objective #4 = Find out more about Ferran | Status: Done in various threads! Objective #5 = Discover the nature of how the whole process works. | Status: Done! Objective #6 = Discover "why them?" | Status: Done!



All action will occur in this entry, and similar to previous posts, I've made comments for:


• Talking to Ferran
  
• Doing other things to Ferran (and in this one, you do have my permission to do whatever you'd like with/to him so don't worry about asking)
  
• Investigating the room (for these, I'll respond with what you'll find and such. If you want to investigate AND talk to Ferran, you can do so in either spot. I'm flexible~ It's just so people can initially start off doing one or the other. That kind of thing!)
  
• And as always, OOC comments/questions.


We've come this far, everyone. And while it's been a long journey, let's finish strong! o/

Comments

Ferran chatting time fun

[luministimods]

[moveslikestrider]

[Well since no one else will, Dave steps up to the plate here.] What was the point in all of this? Why were we brought here? And someone in there mentioned going somewhere we'd have more 'fun' like this? No way man, I have shit to do.

[luministimods]

[Ferran speaks with a slightly rough voice with a hint of pomposity--the same one Dave and Terezi heard in the air duct--but it's one thing to hear it in an echo or a recording, and another to hear it person.]

I suppose you all have earned to learn the truth in its entirety. Oh, where to even start... [He folds his hands in his lap.] You could say the point was to finish the work my great-great grandparents began centuries ago--though I would be lying if I said that was the only reason. [He grins, but doesn't elaborate just yet.]

You and everyone here--as well as those you personally never got to meet but had been a part of this as well at some point during this experiment--are the most important part of this. Without you, there is nothing. [It's here Ferran would stand and begin to pace, but he doesn't dare move away from the computer terminal. All for the best; the message is still up there and so far, he is still ignorant of its presence.] The good Marshall told you all about the initial uses for the interdimensional studies technology our people developed so very long ago, but what he neglected to inform you about was why studies continued beyond the "animal testing" phase.

My ancestors were part of the first team to use the IST on humanoid subjects, and what they discovered was quite remarkable.

Shall I continue, or is there other "shit" you would like to do instead of this? [While it isn't the "fun" he meant when he slipped that vocal track in to Dave and Terezi, it's still having a delightful effect anyway.]

[moveslikestrider]

[It's a lot to take in. Dave mulls it over and shakes his head as he takes a step to ensure the man's attention is on him.] No. You have my attention, keep going. I want to hear all of this.

[luministimods]

[As expected--and hoped.] Oh good.

Where was I...ah yes. What my ancestors discovered.

[He leans forward in his seat.] They could feel and see the emotions coming up from their test subjects. They could feel their confusion, anger, fear--everything. And it was the most amazing, beautiful thing ever. My people never knew such a phenomenon existed until that very moment.

Of course, it took them some time to notice why they felt that way. Further studies had to be made, except...that's when the government interceded and shut the project down. They took the equipment and have kept it under lock and key since then, only allowing its use under severely controlled situations. The scientists now merely use it to catalogue and record what else is in the universe. [That smug expression of his has definitely disappeared, replaced with one of disgust.] They don't truly study the things they observe! They have no idea the potential they have at their fingertips, and they are squandering it away doing pointless busywork!

[moveslikestrider]

[Subtly, Dave starts to twist time, wondering if he can spin it so he can create a timeloop right here. So while one Dave was talking another could be moving around. Whether it works or not, he keeps talking.]

Yeah because holy shit it's not like any of the people you were studying might be people. We're just puppets to you, is that right? You like to yank our strings and get off a little manipulation? Your tissue box must be empty by now with all the 'fun' we've been having.

Why not shut it all away? What are you getting out of this besides the aforementioned time. Sounds like revenge but go on, tell me all of this. Why hold it back, when you've got your games afoot and you made the check mate.

[manicurious]

[A man needs priorities, and Ichijou knows exactly where his lie. Before pestering Ferran, he takes the time to thoroughly inspect himself to make sure that he doesn't still have any not-caramel stuck to him. And then he looks Ferran over and seems a little overwhelmed. The infamous Ferran is RIGHT THERE. It's sort of overloading his brain.]

Ah.
...
It's you.

[luministimods]

[Ferran lets out a small chuckle, remaining in his seat as he regards Ichijou.] Yes, it is me. In the flesh, rather than in text. I have so enjoyed our conversations. Such a pity Marshall Thanial could never reply to them himself.

Have you enjoyed yourself? I was quite amused when you decorated this lab while your friends were away searching for my former associate.

[manicurious]

[He seems to have processed what's happening partially at least, but rather than anger he's mostly expressing nervousness. It feels like he's talking to his boss.]

It's just difficult to believe that seeing you in person would just come to us like this. I mean, you've been like a cloud hanging over us for years. Aside from sending me those messages...

[He shifts his weight a little and glances at the floor.]

I would've enjoyed myself more if I hadn't been locked away from everyone else for such a long time.

And the labs needed decorating.

[luministimods]

[Ferran shifts in his seat a little.] This meeting, I will admit, is...sooner than anticipated. Yet one works with one has received.

As for the matter of your isolation, do you not think that was done on purpose? To see how you dealt with the separation from your friends and acquaintances? I could have allowed you to see them and speak with them far sooner than I did, yet I did not. Your loneliness was unique, and I could pass up that opportunity.

[manicurious]

Well I... Admittedly, I did believe that it was just a coincidence. I mean, surely if you watched me decorate the labs you must have also seen me doze off while I was waiting for someone to pass by. I thought that I just happened to get locked in while I was resting.

How was my loneliness unique, though? Anyone else would have felt the same way. That's not unique at all.

[wind_of_reason]

[... An air duct. That explains that strange shape they'd tripped over. How dizzying - she feels rather like Alice in Wonderland. And here is the Queen of Hearts. (Or perhaps the Wizard of Oz?)

Mister Ferran's posture isn't indicating that he's going to fight (short of him hitting a key on the keyboard that could trigger something), so she curbs her instinct to bind their opponent in wind magic. An act of aggression right off the start might make him unwilling to answering her questions.
Of which she has many.

A quick glance around shows that Doctor Resarci is not here. She sadly realizes that she may be too late to help him, so for now she focuses on what she can do: 'distract him'. And honestly, she wants his answers.]

Mister Ferran. Why are you doing this? Why go to such lengths?

[luministimods]

[After a couple years observation of this young woman, he most certainly is not surprised when she launches straight into her questions. In a way, he's been prepared to be subjected to them one day himself. This day has come sooner than he planned, but no matter.]

Ahhh, the question of, "Why?". I knew you, of all people, would dive straight into the heart of the matter. I am, however, going to be rude and answer with a question first. Have you ever reached the end of a book and felt it was left unfinished? To be more specific, have you ever read something your ancestors wrote and were left wondering what happened next? That is the question I wished to know the answer to when I found my great-great grandparents notes from their interdimensional studies research. I wished to finish what they started--at first. I still do, and one day, I'll shatter the anthropology world with the results of my studies.

Yet...[He pauses a moment, his eyes drifting over to the second terminal to see how much longer he has.] At the end of the day, I continue to do this because the emotions you all exude with each new test are all so beautiful. They fuel me and make me stronger. The dear little Marshall can feel them too. He's used the power of your emotions to cling to this universe on a number of occasions in the past when his anchor was near-death. That is the nature of who we are in the presence of otherworlders.

[He grins, wondering she is taking this.] It really is no wonder why my people made these studies illegal. They liked it too much so of course they had to outlaw it before they got too carried away. Thankfully, I know my limits.

[wind_of_reason]

[Fuu finds herself nodding once slightly- she does have something spring immediately to mind when he asks of things left unfinished. That's a large part of why they'd returned to Cephiro the second time.

Her eyes follow his to the countdown on the terminal. If he's concerned with it she should stop it, but she knows that her computer skills would likely be no match to the technology, never mind if Mister Ferran even let her get that close. (Where was the Doctor when you could really use him and his special talents?)

She shakes her head just as slightly again in amazed disbelief as Mister Ferran outlines his reasoning. The emotions fuel him? She can't help but think that she'd read something like this once before- creatures from science fiction who fed on the wildly varying emotions of humans. Only this is no fictional story. And it sounded more like emotions were close to a drug for his people.

A chill runs up her back- if he had known that Nathan's anchor had been near death at some point, perhaps he was closer to knowing who it could be than she'd thought. Could it have been Doctor Resarci- no, there was the message on the screen that was most likely from Nathan. He, at least, was probably okay.

At least he admitted that he was doing something illegal. She will have no hesitation to restrain him or stop him by force now.

Setting aside all those thoughts, she concentrates on Mister Ferran and breaks her long, silently thoughtful pause.]

I sympathize with your feelings of wanting to finish what was left undone. But doing it in a way that hurts so many people is wrong. [Her tone is coloured by the emotion of personal experience, but she consciously keeps her voice level.] I'm sure another way can be found, if only everyone would be straight-forward in communicating their wishes. What were you trying to find out, Mister Ferran?

[luministimods]

My apologies, but for the type of research I am doing, the most extreme and random measures must be taken--and that is without your initial consent. For the purist reactions, you simply cannot know what will happen, so of course I could not simply tell you what to expect. [He says it all rather matter-of-factly.]

So in answer to your question, that is what I wanted and needed to find out. After reading my ancestors notes and finding the one device the government did not take away, I knew I had to push things further. I had to do it slowly, however. You had to believe other humans were doing this to you so I could escalate the severity of the experiments, and I found wonderful allies who had their own needs and pursuits that I could capitalize on. It took me many years of searching several worlds to find Dr. Caligin and the Resarcis.

[wind_of_reason]

You wanted to find out how we would react to the unexpected? [She frowns sourly. Hope that's going not as he expected.]

You were very meticulous. And once everything was set up for your experiments, you caught us.

[fortune_sought]

"What we will?" Are you certain that's what you want? [she crosses her arms over her chest, staring him down]

[luministimods]

[Ferran folds his hands in his lap.] Madam, if I felt otherwise, I would not be allowing you this opportunity.

[In truth, this is something he hasn't planned for so soon, so certain safeguards aren't in place. But oh well, things should prove interesting.]

[fortune_sought]

Then--tell me about Nathan! Why are you working against him?

[it's not the smoothest question ever, but it was the first idea that came to mind as a way to distract him. meanwhile she shoots a few glances at the boxes around the room, looking for any labels or odd-sized items or open ones that stand out]

[luministimods]

My dear, I was never working with him in the first place. He is a Marshal for the--oh, what is that ridiculously long name... Ahh, yes. The Interdimensional Policing Authority Taskforce. And I, in the eyes of my people, government, and that organization, am a criminal for simply pursuing scientific research.

Marshal Thanial, or "Nathan" as you know him as, has been on my trail for the past couple of years. It was...an unfortunate but not unexpected eventuality. The more I used the interdimensional technology and spirit away otherworlders, the riskier it became. Sooner or later, my work would be discovered, and it was when the experiments with Dr. Caligin began. The Marshal underestimated me, however. He thought me a simple thief and lunatic, and I am far from either of those--though I doubt you would think any differently. Not after how much you have suffered.

[fortune_sought]

Research? [she scoffs] Yes, I'm certain that's rather like wizards who claim black magic is "study"! [she glares at him at his sympathizing] And you say that as if you care! That's rather missing the point when you're clearly causing that suffering yourself--quite happily, it seems.

[at this point, she's cross enough that she decides to take a risk. she spins on her heel and marches over to the nearest set of boxes. she reaches out to move the top one--and then stops. she glances back at Ferran with a glint in her eye before she addresses the boxes in a business-like tone:] Come now, you must see it'll take forever to go through you like this! And you look much too heavy to move. Topple over, please. And do be quick about it if you can.

[she's never tried to have that big of an influence on physical objects before--particularly potentially heavy ones--but in the current situation, she can't resist trying. and it should be a distraction, particularly if it works. just in case it does, she takes a few steps away from the boxes]

[desertdaggers]

[distract him? Well… he'll do his best. Hawk doesn't like Ferran, not at all, but he smiles anyway with only a brief flash of teeth, one hand on a dagger hilt.]

My, this is a surprise! I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever meet in person at all.

I wonder… would you tell me what exactly went down between you and Resarci? He didn't seem willing to share, for what I'm sure seemed perfectly understandable reasons.

[luministimods]

[Ferran is silent for a moment before he speaks.] Young Filippo Resarci, I gather? It has been a small number of years since your last encounter with his father, may he rest in peace, so I cannot imagine you mean him.

[desertdaggers]

Mm, he's been rather out of touch. Though… is he dead, then? [He frowns- it's not that he liked Ernesto Resarci much, either, but he hadn't expected that.]

[luministimods]

[Ferran both smiles very slightly and sighs at the same time. If it weren't for the fact that his suit is black as night, Hawk and the others would have seen the drying droplets of blood spatter on the fabric.]

Oh, I am afraid that his time has most assuredly come to an end. I put an end to his suffering myself. It was the most I could do for my old friend.