⇨ POLARIS 2.0

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Days 110 - 114
Where: Polaris
What: After a mysterious explosion shakes the station, the staff of Polaris struggle to maintain order while the test subjects fight for freedom with the aid of hidden allies. Productivity info is here.
Warnings: More graphic experimentation.

THEORY & CONCLUSION↴ At the midnight between Day 109 and Day 110, something happens. For most people, it won't be clear what - yet, they are shaken by it just the same. Violent tremors appear out of nowhere, rattling the entirety of the Polar station, violent enough to throw sleeping test subjects off their bunks. The source is unclear, but there is a sudden flurry of activity from staff as power flickers and is lost in various parts of the facility. Subjects, for the most part, will be left to their cells while they try to sort things out. The next morning, the staff are late picking people up. It's more like 6:30AM than the usual 6AM when they arrive to take people to the farm, which is a bit of tardiness that is entirely without precedent. Any questions about the incident the previous night will be waved off with the explanation of 'technical difficulties' that have been 'resolved.' ► DELTA: The three new Deltas will be left in their cells for even longer, waiting to be picked up, instructed that they would be escorted elsewhere instead of to the farm. Around 6:45AM some unfamiliar technicians will arrive and tell them that they are here to begin their processing into Delta. They are led into a previously untouched section of the station, where they are invited into a somewhat more intimate medical room to be asked some cursory questions and given a check up. Then, their suits will be removed, and they will be provided with their new uniforms, which they can apply like normal clothes. Delta life begins there. There will be a top level for the initial parts of their processing to be played out. Ultimately, however, they will end up being given a tour of the new Delta facilities, which amounts to a waterfront area that borders the new apartments they'll be staying in, as well a small supply shop where they can pick up an allotted amount of 'amenities' per day, based on their level of productivity and other achievements. This includes luxury items like food, pleasant smelling soaps, or other hygiene related tools. There are even small things like decorations or pictures of other places available, though they are fairly expensive. The first day will mostly involve the processing, a tour, and some basic training regarding the new tools they will be using, such as the mandatory visors and basic computer access. The next day, observation shifts in the farm will start, as will participation in trials. ► FARMING: The Farm will continue as normal, though it seems like there are fewer staff observing it at the moment. The ones that are there seem a little bit more tense than usual. Power is still down in some places, but the Farm is thankfully still active. Sometimes the productivity turn-in scanners might be a bit glitchy, so try not to panic if it measures fewer points than you're due. ► TRIALS: Trials are continuing as projected, though with the most broad of experiments already under way, they may be more selective. If you have an idea for a trial you can be sure to share it with the staff, and they will take it under advisement! Any information you want to provide is encouraged, they will say, especially if it involves notable traits about you or your fellow test subjects - or perhaps behavioral patterns you've noticed. You might even be rewarded!

Comments

[osteothropy]

"The first one," he says, tapping his finger on the tablet even though it's been turned off. "I grew up as an academic, y'know that? Probably how I ended up in Epsilon to start with. Less experimenting on people, I guess, but... not completely absent."

Most of that stuff wasn't part of his department, but it doesn't mean it wasn't a thing that happened.

[kingsroads]

Strange looks like he can make it. However, every moment of the box brushing up against his arms or even something else touching his arms, causes him to wince a little in pain. He's trying to underplay it because again, doesn't want Yuya to worry, but Strange can only hide something for so long.

"I am putting it over there. As for the teleport pad, I think that's the correct term? It's an odd device that you can step on and take you from one place to another."

Fun fact: Strange knows fuckall about science-fiction.

what a brat >:V

[prazerbutterfly]

He neither confirms or denies her first statement. What she chose to do in her own time was up to her. He would rather she spend time working on her points but then he didn't want her to rise up to Delta. She would be an outcast there and it is slightly worrying. Not to mention she should remain a kid. Epsilon wasn't so bad.

He knows what she's doing the moment she decides to do it and she gets a hard stare, his face now neutral. He turns his head away from her to observe something else. It's all towards his productivity and he was working hard towards rising in the ranks.

[anti_nonsense]

The map... Rita can cross-reference it with the one in her visor, and... there! She can see which sector Ignatius is in. There's a feeling of contentment and relief that follows.

But as those questions arise, it ebbs away into uncertainty, and ultimately, a no. She doesn't know where their things are. She can't just hop over to where Ignatius is.

Focusing, she alters that image of the map a little, highlighting their current sector: Sector B. That's the area she's authorized to access right now.

[hippocarnival]

Honestly, it's a good enough term for Yuya. He picks up the pace a little, pressing his hand under the box a little more firmly up to try and balance the weight for Strange's sake.

"Yeah, I guess they'd have something like that here..." Space station, after all, even if it's a fae space station. "how many more boxes do you have to move?"

Because he'll keep helping, obviously.

huge brat,

[soft_focus]

She only recently got to start being one, after all. The chatter will continue, at any rate- at one point she'll even casually remark about how cats always hide their feelings, or something like that.

"...You're good at your job," she eventually says as well.

"...You're probably happy."

It's an odd tone that she uses. If he truly is even slightly happy in the moment, it sounds almost knowing. If he's not...it sounds more hopeful. Perhaps even like a prayer.

[impatientdefense]

After a brief attempt to get them to elaborate what they mean by a true name - by asking if they're looking for "Beauregard [her family name]," Beau shrugs and thinks a little more. It can't be worse than her deal with the Ringmaster, or the oath to Ignatius, right? If these fae don't keep getting themselves struck down after getting her oath of loyalty, then maybe all the contradictions will lead to a custody battle that frees her. And avoiding torture for the moment sounds like a plan.

TL;DR, she complies.

[prazerbutterfly]

"I can see that," he muffles, taking another bite from the first apple, a large one this time, and instead of chewing he'll savor it, rolling it over his tongue to taste it. He liked sharing with Sans and was always well appreciative of any information, "It's not why I ended up in Epsilon. I had very little schooling. It's not my strong suit nor is any of that..."

He gestures to the tablet in Sans' hands.

If Tyki took a guess at it, it was likely his abilities, the way he commanded others at home, or how he took on almost a general's stance out in the battle field. Yet he was a fresh Delta and couldn't see himself doing that soon. He'd have to earn that trust and compliance.

[kingsroads]

There's an awkward pause before Strange answers, "Enough until they have enough data."

And as much as he really doesn't want to talk about this and he wants to keep Yuya from worrying about him...Strange is slowly coming to terms with the fact that he can't do that. His situation is just fucked enough that it's really no use trying to pretend that he has everything under control (just most of it.)

"They want to see if my body can adapt to growing more samples of the Silver Mirror. So, they started with my arms." Awkward pause before Strange clarifies. "The, erm, inside of my arms."

[betheman]

One could almost hear the huff Gongenzaka gives under his breath some distance away- but it's only the feeling and emotion associated which comes through. As it is.

Affirmation- he understands the answers, and the limitations. But, there is the feeling that this shouldn't be too much of an issue.

He shows the image of a few other notes- one explaining that there's a Plant somewhere in this place, and another noting that they themselves need to form some sort of plan.

He conveys the image of himself, Yuuya, and others in black suits confined in a close-fit box. Rita however, is in a slightly larger box. It's reassurance that comes with this- she might not have immediate access to what they need, but she has more leeway at least and that's something.

Gongenzaka flashes the images of those he's shared information to- an image of him passing notes to them projected as well.

They can surely come up with something right?

[whattaprick]

“I heard about that. Like ... something warm.”

As Steven speaks, reminding Lambert more of who he is, the closer to lucidity he gets — and the Lambert in front of him ages. The Lambert from the Carnival, with horns and tail, swords strapped on his back. Lambert himself doesn’t seem aware of the change until he blinks, suddenly, and puts a hand to his head with a wince.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to talking like this,” he tells Steven, sounding a good deal more alert and like himself.

[prazerbutterfly]

Praise is nice especially from someone he likes. Yet it won't ever influence his decisions, not like others in the carnival, and he continues to say not a word. He would like it if the transition was painless, if he could ascend quickly to a higher status and take on more tasks to keep him busy and gain information.

He is happy. It feels normal, more complete to have that freedom and reassurance of being a Delta. He wasn't working to be grinded down and now working to accomplish something. His left ear flicks, expressing he's listening closely, always the left.

[hippocarnival]

Oh.

Yuya comes to a stop, staring with wide eyes until Strange's movement reminds him he's supposed to be helping move the box, still, and he jerks back to action. "So they're making the mirror parts inside you worse? Can... can your arms handle this?"

That sounds like it's making him so fragile. And unlike the Ringmaster, will these changes really wipe away when they make it home? Or will they be stuck with these alterations, having to cope with them and the damage and the questions?

[soft_focus]

Good.

That means some of them can have some happiness.

She'll talk for as long as she can, in that case- and when she's finally done, she stands and smiles and says- "...I'm going to go back to work now." No byes, or anything like that. She doesn't even look at him- but she sounds happier now at least, and will no doubt seek him out to simply sit nearby on other days.

[kingsroads]

"We'll find out, won't we?" Which isn't an answer, but how else can Strange answer this? He's got no idea if his arms are more fragile now. He doesn't know how it works. All he knows is that at the moment, it hurts when almost anything suddenly touches him.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's cursing himself a little at never learning any healing magic, but it's too late now. He doesn't know how to soothe magical mirror wounds. And he's sure he can't talk to any of the Technicians, who clearly won't do anything about the pain any of them are in.

"... Is it okay if you take a break?" Will they let him?

[whattaprick]

There’s no better time to talk than when you’re pretty sure you might never get to again but that’s just like, Lambert’s opinion probably.

“Going back?” he asks, a bit confused. You lost him there Reira.

gj me typoing i meant 111

[whattaprick]

Now here’s the tricky part. Lambert doesn’t actually know how to ask at first, searching her expression while he grasps for the words, and finally lands on—

“Was that the only thing you felt?”

[soft_focus]

"....Yuuya didn't want me to stay in the Carnival." She pauses, and adds...

"...He thought that before a lot of the things that happened, but I told him I didn't want to. ...I got to learn things here. Important things, like what birthdays are, or what games are like, or what other places look like. ...Being able to stay was..." Was it her first choice? Arguably not. The first choice she was ever given could be said to have been 'will you do this for me'- her brother's order.

But she knows very well that back then, it was not a choice so much as an adaptation her brother made. A true choice was something where you were aware of what you were offering.

"...Joining the Carnival was my first real choice. I never had one, before that. ...I know Yuuya wants me to be 'safe'. ...But I know that normally, it's not like this either. ...And..." She swallows. "...It's not something we can agree on, I think. ...But he promised not to tell me to go back anymore. ....That was important.

"...I don't want to leave 'home'."

[anti_nonsense]

Yeah, yeah, she gets it. There's a sense of acknowledgment and exasperation. He doesn't need to tell her the obvious. The whole reason she strove for Delta was to get those extra freedoms.

She'll try showing him an image of a control panel; not a specific one, but just the sort of thing one might find throughout the facility. The image then zooms until it's inside the device, displaying complex codes... and a hand that reaches in and starts rearranging those digits.

Everything here runs on computer systems and magic, and those are Rita's specialties, especially when combined. Maybe she can hack those systems.

[kingsroads]

Strange shakes his head. "This morning they said something about...constant low-level stress, I think. I suspect they want me to keep working until they discover the point that my arms can't take it."

Strange will happily make some jokes about this later in the 'ha ha, I literally can't do heavy lifting any more' sort of vein. But right now, everything just kind of sucks. He doesn't really have it in him to make fun of scenarios like this, where his arms constantly hurt.

LOL no worries. works for me

[periphrasing]

"Wh..." She stares blankly at him for a few seconds, squinting uncertainly, before the question properly clicks.

She gasps. "Oh! No! No, it wasn't!"

[amphibiopathic]

Urghhh. Hanamaru isn’t wrong, but even Eruka knows better than to say that. Maybe it’s time for a change of topic instead. There isn’t a lot to talk about outside the present situation but there’s at least one glaringly obvious thing to address.

“Um ... those horns are new, aren’t they?”

Take unsubtle conversation topics for 500, Alex.

[anti_nonsense]

It'll take a while for Rita to realize she's dreaming and to piece together the hints Yuya gave her about how to respond, but soon she's able to send messages like the others.

She'll start by identifying herself, both by name and as someone connected to Ignatius, and by asking, why is Gild here in the first place? Did she follow Ignatius here, or was she already staking out the place when they came in?

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's gaze drifts down and he bites his lip. So even if he helps, it means Strange has to do this even longer until he can't anyway.

"I'm sorry." That he can't do anything right now. How much are they going to be changed and tortured this way, before...

He shakes his head. He can't think like that. "I'll talk to them again. And we'll get out of here."