imeeji_frontstage | (no subject)

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 ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

....Water? I'm a little parched.

You bet. Sit tight, I'll be right back.

[Heads off into the crowd.

About ten minutes later he returns, hair slightly mussed, holding a thermos.]

Here you go.

[ He gives Cobalt a small, grateful smile. ]

Thanks, Cobalt-san.... I really appreciate it.

It's the least I can do.

I don't know if you like tea, but I brought some of that, too.

[ He drops his voice to a theatrical stage-whisper. ]

Don't tell Joker, but I like tea better than coffee.

Hah! That makes two of us, then. I don't know if you're in the mood for any now, but just in case:

[He reaches into his pocket and pulls out three tea bags, still in their paper packages. There's chamomile, orange, and a peach black tea.]

I have these ones?

Chamomile sounds amazing.

Here, gimme that thermos.

[ He hands the thermos back over. ]

Isn't it a bit cool for tea, though...?

[He takes the chamomile tea bag out of its package and takes the thermos back.]

Pep!pep! got a new ability.

[He plonks the tea bag in the water and holds the thermos between his hands. He makes a face of concentration... and the water begins to steam and simmer. He offers the thermos back.]

Maybe this'll work?

....That is so cool.

[ He accepts the thermos and takes a sip. ]

Thanks for letting me test it out!

You look like you had a rough evening. Is there anything that might help improve your night? Some company? Food? ...Being left alone?

I wouldn't mind some company until I get to the hotel. I'm gonna go take a shower.

I wasn't even in the game, but a shower sounds pretty good right now.

[He doesn't want to rush him, so Cobalt's going to follow Sanguine's lead and wait until he makes the first move hotel-ward.]

No kidding, right? There's really nothing like a shower.

[ He starts walking towards towards the exit. ]

By the way, I've been meaning to mention... I'm actually switching over my name to Tatsuya now.