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

Mmm, so I have something for you when I visit next time.

[ Just. Staring at him with a blank look. ]

...You are much kinder than I had expected.

. . . My, does my reputation precede me?

[ what. what is that expression. ]

[ takes a cautious step back, guard going up ]

I am aware of the history between our teams. I had expected most of you to dislike us.

[ HE JUST GOT A LITTLE EXCITED AT THE IDEA OF BEING VIEWED AS A VILLAIN1!!!!11 dialing it back, smiling a little sheepishly ]

Ah! Well, I like everyone on WILD CITY quite a lot . . . like I said, I visit often.

[ a beat ]

Sorry . . . uhm, did my face do something? I'm not really. . . I'm a little deficient as a person, so it's a bit . . . Aries-san said it was a little strange . . .

[ keeping his distance!! but he is relaxing a little bit, if only because Aries and Whisky are also around ]

You looked dangerous. It is... I do not understand how you can look like that, and then like...this...so easily.

. . . Dangerous? Aries-san said I looked like. . . an asshole.

[ pausing ]

I suppose I can see where they are the same, but - I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you. . . I don't look at my own face, so I don't know - I just got a little excited, for a moment. . .

...What were you excited about?

. . . Well, thinking something like. . . "Oh no, are people afraid of me?" Or "Do people find me to be scary? Maybe villainous?"

Uhm, I can't explain it well, but it was just a little exciting.

[ whhhhhhhat kind of person is Whisky dating???? ]

I am not afraid of you.

[ he kind of is ]

[ beams! brightly ]

That's alright, too. Uhm - I didn't mean to say that I would be happy if you were afraid of me! But . . . uhm . . .

I guess, it's a little bit . . . being regarded highly. . . ? I guess it's just nice to be noticed. In any case, I'm sorry for startling you.

I do not believe being feared is the same as being revered, but...apology accepted.

Well, in any case, I don't want to be either, but - in any case, are you getting along well in your unit?

Of course I am. They are a good unit.

Mm!

[ happily, ]

I'm sure that they already love you a lot! You're lucky to be with them, Talon-san.

[ his expression softens to almost a smile. still too shaken from the game for much more than that ]

I agree. I already know I would not want a different unit.

[ soft baby... ]

Mm.

. . . You should go home, Talon-san. There's not much left, here.

I will soon. Once Silver has finished his...rounds.

[ with a nod, scrubbing at his eyes for a moment before he looks around ]

. . . Rest well, Talon-san.