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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 25, 2017 12:51:10 GMT -6
Whatever. Two of us know what you look like, so that should be sufficient.
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Post by SpringForest on Jan 25, 2017 13:19:10 GMT -6
No need to start a fight right now. Tell Allure that JUSTIIIIICCCCE will not need to smite Ace right now. We'll save the smiting for the killers once we identify them.
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Post by Piomega on Jan 26, 2017 13:02:39 GMT -6
"Look, we don't really want to start a fight right now..." You tell Allure, haltingly. "So no administering 'JUSTIIIIICE', if you please. Let's save it for the killers."
4 raises an eyebrow at you, facepalms, and says "Ace, I swear. If you don't take your helmet off right now, I will tell everyone about the blog post I saw you in. It had your name and everything."
"You're bluffing." He says, although he doesn't seem that certain.
"Oh really? What if I told you, that a certain 'Mods for Me', covered a large range of body modification enthusiasts in a heated article, that later became controversial due to promoting operations that were potentially hazardous to health?"
"...I never heard of no 'Mods for Me'."
"Your picture didn't exactly look official, you were making a rather queer facial expression, as though you were chewing a lemon. There was a fairground in the background as I recall..."
"What does it matter if you know my name? Are you just going to go ahead and kill me, Foursight? I don't think you're that kind of person."
"Neither do I, in all honesty. Although I have been wrong before about such things. Y'know, I might just blurt it out by accident."
Do you intervene, or just let this play out?
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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 26, 2017 13:17:52 GMT -6
Hey, now, be nice. Stop. Don't.
As unenthusiastically as possible.
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Post by Piomega on Jan 26, 2017 14:49:31 GMT -6
"Hey, now, be nice. Stop. Don't." You say, as unenthusiastically as possible.
"Are you going to play fair, and take your helmet off, Grandpa?" 4 asks sweetly.
"Heh. What's the first letter of my first name?"
"Are you sure you want me to reveal that? The killers might have a list of names..."
"Let's risk it."
"This is your last chance.'
"I'll bet."
"Here we go..."
"Go ahead."
"The first letter is..."
"Keep going."
"...J."
"Bzzt. Wrong answer, I'm afraid."
"What do you mean?" 4 asks, sounding confused. You have a slight suspicion that she isn't as surprised as she makes out."
"That's not what my name begins with, Sunshine."
"Jez Woode. Wasn't it...? OH! That must've been the guy with the green Mohawk. You're the guy below..."
"Must be. So, what's the first letter of my name?"
"...E."
There is a barely noticeable hesitation. "Wrong again. Are you sure there's actually an article? Did you not, perhaps, just make it up?"
"Time up. I was supposed to start a little while ago, but I lost track of the time. You had such an interesting discussion."
You turn to where the voice came from. A section of the wall spasms slightly, and it reveals itself to be a hidden screen. The asymmetric helmet of the man in white takes it place, leaning against a black background, nonchalantly, with a hand held out to the side, holding out three fingers. You get the feeling that you have seen this pose before.
"Did you miss me? Or, more importantly, did you miss an important component of the situation?"
"What are you talking about...! Why are we here?!?!"
"See, your lives are on the line here. Maybe not quite as on the line as you'd think, but still on the line. Why would you go ahead and risk it for someone who may or may not be out to kill you?
What do you say?
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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 26, 2017 14:54:35 GMT -6
Because fluffer-nut you, that's why.
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Post by SpringForest on Jan 26, 2017 15:48:16 GMT -6
Because fluffer-nut you, that's why. We're all going to make it out of here alive just because fluffy bunny you. |
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Post by Piomega on Jan 27, 2017 2:14:13 GMT -6
"Because fluffer-nut you, that's why." You say.
"...Did you actually say 'fluffer-nut'? Have you realised the futility of trying to swear?"
"Why the coconut are words censored when there's agonising torture and apparently murder going on?"
"This is of course, a game show. By now you should have worked it out. As such, we are forced to conform to various policies from certain countries. A peculiar quirk of Tongi's censorship policy prohibits swearing from appearing on the show. Even though they allow blood, guts, gore, etc. they still prohibit swearing. Now, since they make up 27.5% of our viewers, we do not want to alienate them, however, our producers decided it would detract from the experience if the viewers were to hear something differently from the participants. This is our solution."
"Why is it legal for a gameshow have killing in it?" 9 points out. "Is this legal?"
"All traces of Snuffshows have been eliminated from your memory, so you must trust me when i say that it is."
"There's a book about Snuffshows in the Study." Twomato muses. "It has pages ripped out."
"Yes. Every room you have been in so far has an item that may be helpful to you in some way. Your signature item was in your room, and there is a regional item for each room too. Some were worked into the completion of puzzles, some weren't. Do you have any more questions before I elaborate more on your situation?"
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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 27, 2017 10:57:14 GMT -6
What's with the E3 finger sign?
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Post by Piomega on Jan 28, 2017 5:28:16 GMT -6
"What's with the E3 finger sign?" You ask the man in white.
"What?"
"Y'know, that pose..."
He glances down at his arm, and stands upright. "That's just how I lean, I'm afraid. There I was, thinking that you would have an interesting question, like why -1 is dead, or how to escape the complex."
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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 28, 2017 16:56:20 GMT -6
I assumed "how to escape" would be under the elaboration you mentioned... Um. Actually, OK. Are all currently surviving core members able to complete their goals, or are some mutually exclusive?
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Post by Piomicron1 on Jan 29, 2017 15:21:07 GMT -6
"I assumed "how to escape" would be under the elaboration you mentioned..." You say, in scathingly.
"Perhaps. However, if you do not ask the questions that you want answered, how do you know the answers you receive are to the question you asked? No assumptions must be made in this game, if you are to win."
"Fine, whatever. Are all currently surviving CORE members able to complete their goals, and escape together, or are some mutually exclusive?"
"All currently surviving CORE members could indeed potentially win, and escape together. However, there are twelve CORE members, assigned a number 1 through 12, and three OUTSIDERS, who were originally assigned the numbers -1, 0 (myself), and 13."
"Your count's a little off there, bud." Limelight points out. "Twelve CORE guys, and two OUTSIDERS."
"My count was right. Dead people were still originally contestants. Your count may also be off, if you are not counting the dead."
"What?" Says Foursight, obviously doing a quick headcount. "All twelve are here, -1 is dead... are you saying 13 is dead too now?"
"No. Only that it the nature of the Betrayer is this: At the start of the game, in the 'Everyone' phase, the Betrayer has full reign over what room they go into. All puzzles and traps are disabled. In order to survive the day, the Betrayer must use one of the many items to murder one of the other contestants. Then, when the suit detaches itself from the contestant's skin, they must disguise themselves as the contestant, and replace them. They do not gain their powers or goals, but in all other aspects, they become them, and can switch back at will."
"Oh kiwifruit! Are you saying that one of the people here is actually a murderer? And has to keep murdering to survive?"
"No."
"B-but you—"
"That may have happened. That usually happens. But my memory of that was wiped on day 1. I can probably guess the result, but even I am not certain. Sometimes, they cannot bring themselves to honour the deal, this usually happens if they have to slay a woman or child, I can't fathom why... but there you have it."
"What 'deal' are you talking about? Cut the grapefruit!"
"Hmph, yes. The deal. In order to understand the deal, you must understand what happens if you lose this very particular game."
"Let me guess: ...We die?"
"No. Or, rather, not necessarily. If you lose the first time, your memory is wiped, and you try again. The same goes for the second and third times. Now, if you fail the fourth time, you are presented with a choice: Become an OUTSIDER in the next game, — not the host, of course, I was offered a rather different deal, — or... from my point of view, a considerably worse option."
"Death?"
"Yes. To be an outsider, is to resign yourself to killing three people, or dying yourself. My case is slightly different, I have to make sure that the rules of the game are followed, which means that at some point, three people have to die. Except, if the Betrayer chooses the nobler option, it might be only two if the Hunter doesn't kill anyone. Do you have any more questions?
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Post by SummerCrow on Jan 29, 2017 15:46:33 GMT -6
So that's how Betrayer works... Good to know these terms. What's the Hunter's schtick - exactly what it sounds like? On a scale of "perfectly normal person" to "ominous laughter" how dangerous are they?
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Post by Piomega on Jan 30, 2017 14:21:24 GMT -6
"Oh... so that's how Betrayer works... It's good to know these terms." You say, considering the implications. "What's—"
"I'm afraid it's not quite that simple." Zero/the Man in White says, with a flourish of his hand. "You see, although they betray their first victim by simply walking into their room, and killing them while helpless, the next two are killed in a rather different way. The way they kill the next two is the reason why you must never reveal your identity. I'm afraid I cannot specify the exact limitations and logistics for any role at present."
"Why not?" Foursight asks. "To create drama? Tension?"
"That, and to give you all some other goal to strive for. There are ways of finding these things out."
"Okay... what's the Hunter's schtick - exactly what it sounds like? On a scale of "perfectly normal person" to "ominous laughter" how dangerous are they?"
"Interesting way of putting it." He notes. "The Hunter is currently confined, however they do have a way of monitoring you all. If and when they are released, they will be able to track you down, wherever they are, and have a special ability that allows them to attack you outside of the protection of the rest of the group. Please note, that unlike in the case of the Betrayer, at the start of the game, you will have a chance to defend yourself."
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Post by SummerCrow on Feb 2, 2017 13:29:08 GMT -6
I don't have any more questions for now. Mystic?
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Post by Piomega on Feb 2, 2017 13:41:46 GMT -6
"How do we escape the complex?" Redemption queries.
"You've obviously noticed that." The man in white says, gesturing to the dodecagon in the middle of the hall. "That is the CORE elevator. There are twelve access keys hidden in this facility, if more than half of them are activated, then the CORE elevator will open. If the up arrow is pressed which is inside of the elevator, the doors will close. If all people in the elevator have satisfied their win condition, the elevator will leave. If not, it will not. The elevator will leave but once. You have one chance."
"Do you count as a participant?" 11 asks. "Does number 13?"
"Yes. Why?"
"So, theoretically, we could make a deal. The Betrayer kills no-one except 13, and you."
"Yes. However, given that certain information about us is public, and therefore cannot be used, it would be more difficult to kill us than any of you, for the Betrayer. And if you made such a deal, you can be sure that neither myself nor the Hunter would accept it lightly. It is also difficult to reach us, therefore making it harder to force information out of us. Can I explain now about exchanging items for CP? Or is there a question you would like to ask first? Please, say 'No.' if you don't have one."
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Post by SummerCrow on Feb 2, 2017 13:52:55 GMT -6
Let's start with "what's CP?"
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Post by Piomega on Feb 3, 2017 14:38:18 GMT -6
"CP stands for 'Chroma-Points'. In basic terms, it is the on-show currency. You may have already come across it. If you found any coins and left them in your room overnight, they will have been transferred to your account. This will happen every night. Using a vending machine you can buy items and skills, using an ATM machine, you can transfer coins into your account, and you can sell certain items in an item deposit box. Most items you come across will be wrapped in a translucent film that renders them unusable. Somewhere on this film is a label with a price tag, and you can exchange the item for that amount of CP. Items lacking this film will sell for the price engraved somewhere on the item."
Surreptitiously, you glance over your katana. On the side of the sheathe is '700' in a circle.
"Finally, certain persons present may have a special incentive towards gathering CP, as per their role."
"Too long, didn't listen." Limelight says, yawning.
"In that case, you may well die sooner than the rest. If you don't know the game you are playing, how do you expect to win?"
"If one were to murder another in order to win, how might one fare on the outside?" Inquires Mu. "Would there be legal or social repercussions?"
"You are on very safe legal ground. Having participated in the games merits celebrityhood, and even mass murderers have been known to be celebrated having completed the games."
"That's barbaric!" Foursight yells, recoiling in horror.
"Perhaps."
"Someone's got a catchphrase..."
You hear a mechanical beeping. "Ah. It appears we are out of time. I must apologise, but it seems I must be off."
"Hey! You can't just—"
"Oh! And before I go, would you like to miss a contestant who, until this point, has been rather neglected?"
"You don't mean..."
The screen flickers, and the man in white is replaced by another figure. This one is facing almost directly sideways. Unlike everyone else, this one doesn't glow at all. The patterns that would be emitting light are instead dark. Their helmet is designed to look like a lifeless skull.
"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Mortification."
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Post by SpringForest on Feb 3, 2017 15:28:42 GMT -6
Contestant number 13. So what exactly is your role in all of this? You don't seem to be "playing" along with us. Are you another moderator like number 0 or should we be wary of you and your actions?
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Post by Piomega on Feb 4, 2017 4:27:02 GMT -6
"Contestant number 13. So what exactly is your role in all of this? You don't seem to be "playing" along with us. Are you another moderator like number 0 or should we be wary of you and your actions
". . .The latter. Unless, of course, there are three people you'd be willing to let die instead of me?"
"Well... I reckon we'd be willing to let you have Ace, the Betrayer, and the man in White..." Says May, jokingly
"Right now, you're safe from me. However, sooner or later, I'm going to escape. And when that happens, you'd better have your mind made up."
"What is wrong with you, my comrades in arms?!" Allure shouts, pulling a heroic pose. "This vile fiend is a parasite! It needs to kill three of us to live!"
"Hey, I'm a victim here too." Mortification says, looking directly at you all, spreading their arms, and looking at each of you in turn. "For all you and I know, I'm here because I couldn't bring myself to kill people to escape. Also, I have killed no-one, unlike Mr. Negative."
"How can you say that? You've already decided that you're going to kill three people to save yourself!" 4 retorts. "If you were truly noble, you would just live these last 30 days trying to save those you can, or trying to escape without hurting anyone."
Mortification lifts a hand, and gently closes the fist. As he or she does so, you feel an icy grip on your heart, and you tremble in fear.
"We all chose to be here. I don't know why the rest of you did. For a great deal of you, it will be because you're trying to escape a life or a death sentence. Not exactly the kind of people I'd give up my life for."
"Just... whatever happens, can you at least spare the children?"
"Hey!" Limelight shouts. "You'd better not be including me in this! You can't be more than five years older than me!"
"Unless you actively help me in my goals, you have no say in who I do or do not kill. If, somehow, you have a way for me to escape this place without killing someone, then I'm happy to hear it. If it's not inside a body bag, that is. Does anyone have any kind of deal for your friendly neighbourhood Hunter?"
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