(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

[foolmetwice]

There isn't a lot to say.

[. . . but a lot to feel, so. . . he'll be taking her up on that buddy bond offer]

[mapsio]

Just whenever you're ready, you know where to find me?

[ One more gentle squeeze. ]

[foolmetwice]

[a bit dryly, like he's trying to joke with her]

Maybe, but you might want to wear a GPS tracker just in case.

[mapsio]

[ ...reaching up, ruffling his hair. ]

Smart ass.

[foolmetwice]

Yeah.

[BLUNT]

That ain't gonna change anytime soon.