⇨ 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

Day 110-113

[hippocarnival]

[First Attempts]

Yuya notices how late they are to collect them, not by time necessarily but by the lingering sense that the light's been on longer, that there's a break in the cycle. And, of course, there was whatever shook the station last night and woke him up. But he doesn't know why, so at first he simply pushes it out of his mind.

He looks at the productivity board first thing, to confirm his slipping state and see the names of those who have gone up. Some, he's glad for, but he's also a little worried he won't have the chance to speak to them, now. It's all going to be in trusting them. He's getting used to that.

The hunger gnaws at him more poignantly, but despite it after the first couple hours of the morning Yuya makes an attempt to actually, well, farm. It's sluggish, still ever weary and taking longer to collect fruits or dig holes, but somehow he finds himself now able to push past the exhaustion better. Like he's just able to cope with it in a way he couldn't before.

But it's only so much, and he still finds his knees buckling under him and having to stop frequently, trying to recover his energy.

[Closed to Strange]

Once he sees Rita's made it to Delta, he realizes there's someone else he needs to talk to about what he figured out. Strange was looking for something similar, and he also cared about Ignatius a little more personally... given he's so good at magic, maybe he could make a similar connection?

So Yuya looks for him, practically rushing to his side once he spots him. They've only been out here not even thirty minutes, so he assumes he's not interrupting so much. "Mr. Strange! Wait, I have something to--"

And then he whips around in front of him and stops, staring. "... What happened to your eye?"

[Roommates]

Yuya's torn every time he returns to his cell. He's eager to sleep, to keep in touch with their mysterious helper, but he's not eager for the almost constant nightmares that have kept him from getting any real rest this whole time. It's left his expression dreary at the end of every day.

At first, he wanders over to sit on the small table on the corner. It's probably supposed to be an end table, or some kind of built in desk, but he's using it like a chair.

Glowing spots on his face and just above the collar on the front of his neck are a lot easier to see when the lights go out, but even in the daytime there's a very soft glow that can almost be made out against his skin, if you squint and look close.

While he sits in his thoughts for a minute, at first, he ends up looking over to watch whoever's been sent to room with him out the side of his eye, almost blatantly staring.

[kingsroads]

Having gone through a few mental sessions with Ignatius, Strange has a half-assed attempt at a plan. Granted, most of his plan involves hoping that Ignatius can share whatever little power he has with Strange so that Strange can actually bypass whatever mental whammy is on his magic and enact the part of the plan that means he can do the dumb idea in the first place...but he's done more last-ditch, half-assed plans than this before. He needs to find Ignatius. He doesn't know how much longer the other fae can hold out.

He's trying to look for Eruka, to bully that poor witch even further, when he hears Yuya's words. And as Yuya asks about his eye, Strange tries to keep calm and tries to hide his emotions. "They took samples from my mirrors," Strange simply explains. And then, cautiously he asks, "Have you signed up for any trials yet?"

He told Gongenzaka that really, if Yuya doesn't sign up for trials himself, it might be a good idea to drop a few words to the Technicians and see if they can design something tailor-made for Yuya. And Strange can't help it: he's equal parts curious to see if Gongenzaka took his advice and worried that he didn't.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's brow knits with worry, but before he asks further he wants to tell Strange about Ignatius, in hopes they can put something together.

But when Strange asks him about trials himself, his mind blanks as he's pulled back to the awful experience from yesterday. He gapes, losing his words, and then takes a shuddering breath as he tries to pull himself back to focus.

"Yeah," he drops his gaze down to the ground. In the daylight, it's hard to see the glowing spots on his face, white light against pale skin. And Yuya doesn't want to bring attention to them.

"Yesterday, but... it didn't any good." He still got below expectations and dropped down to Eta. He's trying not to panic about it again.

[kingsroads]

Strange keeps trying to keep his expression neutral and tries to keep his expression still. Because on the one hand? He's so glad that Yuya's actually done a trial, he's so glad that Yuya's at least trying to keep himself safe. But on the other hand...he is in Eta now. That's a bit of a problem.

"Then I hate to say this, but you might have to take another one this week." And Strange can't help it: his face shifts a little to a frown. "I don't know what happens when you're in Theta, but I don't want you to find out."

After all, Lambert's been missing—and still is missing, as a matter of fact. Whatever happens when you fall down to Theta can't be good.

[hippocarnival]

Trying not to panic, sadly, doesn't hold. Something breaks at the dam in Yuya, hearing that, imagining going through that again--

"We don't know what happens in those trials either!" He snaps suddenly, looking up at Strange with wide, hurt eyes. "I don't know what they put in me! I can't even look because I can't get this off!"

How does this hurt any less? How much more can it really get when they're removing things and putting them back in?
He digs his fingers into the suit, but they just slip against it. "How is this any better?!"

[kingsroads]

God, Strange has no idea what to do here. He's being confronted by a panic attack, by Yuya freaking out a little, and by the terrible feeling that he's got to be the reassuring adult who knows what to do in this situation and he's kind of shit at that. Strange doesn't know what to do half the time to begin with!

"It's better because we know we'll survive the trials," Strange simply remarks, trying to keep calm. "I don't...I don't know what happens when someone goes to Theta. But I haven't seen Lambert in the past day."

And that worries Strange so much more than he wants to admit. As he hasn't gotten details on what Thetas actually do, he's just got a head full of worst case scenarios for what happens to Lambert. If Lambert's in trouble, there's a strong part of Strange that wants to save him and wants to break him out of whatever problem he's having. But he also knows that his main priority has to be Ignatius.

[hippocarnival]

At least one of them is remaining calm, outwardly at least. "We don't know that. They could go too far, they don't care." He loosely wraps his arms, looking away. "I--I know Lambert's gone, but I don't... I really don't..."

Want to do that again. Feel that poison, feel so vulnerable and then go through so much pain. He's afraid of being taken away, but the idea of going through all of that a second time seizes his heart, and he's not sure which one he's really more likely to survive.

110 Evening

[betheman]

Gongenzaka may or may not have been avoiding Yuuya out of sheer guilt. While he suspects he knows what actually caused the rank drop (Yuuya wasn't exactly doing great through those four days, and falling asleep mid meditation would not have helped), he has the sense not to bring it up.

Instead he stares at his friend silently, unsure of how to break the silence. Eventually....

"...Yuuya. ...Do you no longer wish to be near me, Yuuya?"

It's his fault, that he went through the trial after all.

Whatever it was that happened.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya had become pretty easily lost in his thoughts. Between the explosion, being unable to sense Ignatius further, the rank drop, bad dreams, and another day of basically the same thing except worse, because people are going missing (or being reckless)... it gets a little tiring. It doesn't really occur to him he's ignoring Gongenzaka, until he speaks up.

And then it's like a switch, and Yuya's attention jerks up immediately. "Wh--no! No, that's not it at all!"

[betheman]

Gongenzaka's ears merely pin back, and he stares downward- briefly there is a flick, as if listening to another, but he does not speak except to Yuuya.

"...I, the man Gongenzaka, should have been more careful. I should have read the details...it stated 'implementation', but I did not think..."

Evidently he still blames himself.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya pushes himself up, crossing the short distance in the cell to Gongenzaka and looking up at him.

"It was the last day, and we don't have a choice," his voice breaks a little when he has to acknowledge what Strange told him earlier. There's no choice. That doesn't make it less haunting, just numb.

"You just showed it to me, I decided to go through with it," he mumbles.

[betheman]

The grimace only worsens, and one can almost hear what would typically come next. 'even so,'-

But instead Gongenzaka flinches, glancing to the side and sighing as Yuuya comes to him. "...I, the man Gongenzaka, should think you would not wish to speak of what you remember from it... ...I suppose to hope that the involvement of Creation would make things less damaging in the long run as well is..."

And Gon flinches again- and sighs, reaching to try and hold Yuuya close. "...Even without choice...I, the man Gongenzaka, must apologize."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's not sure if he wants to talk about it, yet, but he's certain he doesn't want Gongenzaka holding it against himself, either.

He reaches for Gongenzaka's hand with both of his. "It... I don't really know what they did, but I'm not upset with you." His voice is a little imploring, for him to not be upset with himself.

Roommates | Day 112 Ass O'Clock in the Morning (5am really)

[bananaspeedrider]

[Who knows if things will remain the same during this cycle without how literally shaken up things got during the start. Yugo doesn't know what to do yet with the portion of warmth returned to his chest, but he knows the little he has is better than having nothing to possibly work with.

He blinks awake, far from actually used to rising up during this time of "day", but there's ideas in his head...! So with haste he maneuvers out from the bed before moving up to shake his Standard brother awake- which should be fine because that doesn't look like a restful sleep judging from Yuya's face.]

Oi... Yuya... wake up!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya grumbles a little as Yugo yells in his face, tilting his head to bury it into the pillow instead.] Five more minutes...

[bananaspeedrider]

[It's never five more minutes. After a beat that's just long enough to let the room go eerily quiet again, how about instead Yugo leans in as much as he can manage just a biiiit closer to the other's ear.... then the teen snatches the pillow away to shout even louder-]

WAKE!!!!! UP!!!!!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya flinches, reeling back as his eyes snap open and he pushes himself against the wall of the cell, staring at Yugo with shock and confusions.]

What? What?! [Are they getting picked up? Are they dying? Dead??]

[bananaspeedrider]

Finally.

[Yugo pulls back, looking pleased over his accomplishment despite any anger that might come his way from giving Yuya such a literally rude awakening.]

So hear me out right now... I've been thinking- [Oh no.] -about how all the things we were carrying on us was taken away.

[hippocarnival]

... Yeah. [Is he thinking about their dragons? Yuya assumes he is, but he'll ask anyway.

He props himself up on his arm.] What about it?

MORNING, 112

[betheman]

[When Morning comes, Gongenzaka spends the time in silence for a moment. For at least until the Technicians arrive, certainly.

What now runs through his mind is key however. Important, for everyone- so a soon as he's on the farm, he does what he did the day before.

He checks on Yuuya. It's usual- it's certainly the only person he can get away with rushing for in this place without drawing suspicion at this point. But once he makes it to him, he doesn't immediately approach-

Instead he concentrates- appearing to hesitate perhaps but doing something else at the same time.

A calm, and gentle feeling comes through a connection of souls. Good morning, Yuuya.]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya isn't terribly excited to be starting farming again, and he practically drags the gathering basket.

When he feels something in his chest, though, that isn't Ignatius' fire (or pain) he stops. And then he turns around, staring at Gongenzaka with wide eyes.

Is that him? Is it working again?]

[betheman]

Yuuya, [he greets aloud, nodding. In his mind, an image of that leaf from far back appears- Shhh.] ...Did you rest well last night, Yuuya..?

[His words contrast with the feelings- but he flashes the image of cameras and radios. And then a wink. They're no doubt being watched.

But now he has something around that, he's pretty sure.] ...Perhaps we could work together, for a time?

[Not an unusual request for him- it's only a little time in the morning, so they can catch up with the other; after that, Gongenzaka is off to plow a field, or do some other heavy work, while hoping Yuuya manages somehow.

Somehow.

They know neither would accept help.]

[hippocarnival]

[There was a time Yuya would accept help, but not when Gongenzaka has higher goals and Yuya doesn't want to do anything that would force him into trials to achieve them.

He nods, smiling with relief.] I'd like that.

[No comments on the sleep, because that went horribly. But he'll gladly fall into step gathering fruits alongside each other.

In his soul, there's a sense of questioning to Gongenzaka.]

[betheman]

Hmn! Let us work here then, [He gestures. Plenty of berry bushes around them, and many berries to pick. He sits down with a basket between them, and starts...

And in the meantime, continues. He didn't miss that lack of answer for sleep- it's telling, and the feeling of sadness toward that fact briefly comes through before getting curbed with a loud pulse of optimism. YES, QUESTIONS.

He's got IMPORTANT ARROW STUFF, as evidenced by... ...The image of an Arrow. And with it... An image of a tin-can telephone can get the idea of Only Using This communication across. Secrit Soul Chat!!]

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya kneels on the other side of the basket when he sets it down, picking away at the berry bush. Body suit gloves means he doesn't have to be careful for thorns, at least.

He reflects the image of the arrow, with feelings of affirmation. He spoke to her, too.

And then he focuses on the map that she showed him, of the station and Ignatius's location.]