(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

[sancrimony]

. . . 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.

[iamverybadass]

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

I am not afraid of you.

[ he kind of is ]

[sancrimony]

[ 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.

[iamverybadass]

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

[sancrimony]

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

[iamverybadass]

Of course I am. They are a good unit.

[sancrimony]

Mm!

[ happily, ]

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

[iamverybadass]

[ 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.

[sancrimony]

[ soft baby... ]

Mm.

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

[iamverybadass]

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

[sancrimony]

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

. . . Rest well, Talon-san.