(no subject)

[opening_act]

Who: Exael and the Unlucky Contestants
Where: The Game Tower
When: 86, Evening

[ Between one step and the next the walls (or streets, or open air) around you changes. The sight before you is a room inside the game tower, a new pressure at your neck. Reaching up or looking at the people around you reveals it to be a collar, titanium with a small green blinking light set in the center. ]

[ the screen flickers on, on your cellphone. It's a half-second, blink and you miss it— Exael, chewing on a nail, looking uncharacteristically nervous— then the moment's gone and she waves both hands and smiles for the camera. ]

"Ladies, gentlemen, honored guests! Units of all stripes and sizes! I come offering you a game and a few familiar words, rearranged for the occasion!"

Her carnival barker demeanor shifts for a moment as she lowers her head to say: ] "Glory to the highest, and on earth peace—" [ her head snaps up, her pigtails bouncing with it, and she's grinning again, all pomp and energy ] "even if we're not getting much down here! So let's kick up a ruckus, put on a show, and see how much good goodwill alone can manage! If you wish to save your fellows, now is the time speak!"

[ The rules appear on your phones. ]

[ Rules ] [ Rooms ] [ Results ] [ Endgame, Revivals & Winners ]

Comments

[liarliarliar]

...you okay?

[liftoft]

Aren't I always?

[liarliarliar]

Of course.

[liftoft]

[ pats B's shoulder ]

Say hi to Mori for me, 'kay?

[liarliarliar]

M..mm...

...

Are you angry with me?

[liftoft]

What? Of course not... why would I be mad at you?

[liarliarliar]

...

[looks out at all the injured people]

[liftoft]

[ Follows his gaze, brow still furrowed in confusion--and then looks back and inches closer again. Comfort hover ]

None o' this is your fault. Don't even think that, 'kay? I'm really glad we could save your sister, for real.

[liarliarliar]

...mmm.

[liftoft]

...Listen, I hate havin' to say it, but we were never gonna be able to save everybody who needed savin'. But we saved one person, and I'm happy about that--and maybe I'm selfish as hell, actually, but I'm glad we picked her over--I dunno. Just somebody else on some team. If it couldn't be everyone then damn straight I want it to be somebody that matters to Alcheme.

[liarliarliar]

...

[turns and hugs tight]

[liftoft]

[ ???????

is actually just. Deeply surprised and therefore shocked still, for a moment, and then hugs B back just as tightly ]

[liarliarliar]

Thanks.

[liftoft]

Yeah, of course...any time.

...You too. Thanks.

[liarliarliar]

...

...

[tugs the goatee]

[liftoft]

[ jerks a little, taken off guard ]

H-Hey!

[liarliarliar]

I feel a little better.

[tugtug]

[liftoft]

I'm really glad!

[ !! he did it!! he did a help!!!

and, it doesn't escape him, he feels better too.

He still has to fuss a little about the tugging, but it's clearly not serious fussing ]

...I'm glad you asked about it, if it was buggin' you. You shouldn't have to sit on that kinda thing.

[liarliarliar]

Haaa....

Well, at least I know we're good. You and me.

[liftoft]

Of course we are! I'd tell you if we weren't, okay? That's a promise, and a man--

[ blinks, hesitates, continues.]

--I always keep my promises. Especially to you guys.

[liarliarliar]

An X promise is a good promise.

[liftoft]

Heh, obviously!

[ beams, just-- so pleaed. And then has to duck his head, slightly misty about it.]

[liarliarliar]

[head pats for the bro]

[liftoft]

Ha... Sorry. I'm good, I'm good.

[liarliarliar]

Cute.