lostcarnival | ⇨ POLARIS 2.0

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⇨ POLARIS 2.0

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Aaauh, that. It is the same for myself. I, the man Gongenzaka, thought it odd initially...I have not been in contact with him since arriving after all but..."

He pauses, as if to let another speak. "...but, it occurs to me...we did make a contract, at least. ...You have been unable to contact him since?" He asks, finding he already 'knows' the answer.

Yuya shakes his head. "No. I don't know if he can."

Sadly, Yuya really doesn't have much in the way of answers, here. Strange said he was going to go look for him, but even lugging a watering can around contact is difficult.

"It has to be a good sign, right? If he can get free, we all can." And then this nightmare can end. No more trials, or pain. His posture sags forward a little with the weight of it.

"Hmmn... ...that was not likely unintentional on his behalf then..." He mutters, leaning back as he holds the other. "...I... ...Yuuya. I do not think this means he is necessarily free. However," he adds firmly, "...It does mean that he has put immeasurable faith in us..!"

A pause...and he adds-"... I, the man Gongenzaka, wish we had been able to notify him of our 'friend'... ...it seems we must notify our friend of this instead however."

It is faith? Yuya wonders if he really deserves it right now. He's slipping, feeling way beyond his control and like he's fragile. Like he can be more easily broken than he realized.

Gongenzaka doesn't seem to have this problem. Strange doesn't. Rita's pushing past it. Can't he be a little stronger?

"Yeah. We should tell them. Both of us." No point chancing it on one or the other. Absently, he squeezes Gon's hand. "I want this to work."

It must be, surely. And if that is the case, well... "Then we shall make it so. If we cannot get this information from our friend to Ignatius, then we shall at least pass it onto Rita and the others ahead or beneath us, aaah? If we move quickly, and with a plan... ....It shall work out," he determines, awkwardly pausing mid sentence before going on. Squeezing back, he continues. "...Shall we organize what we will tell them?" Better to go into the dream with a plan after all.

Yuya draws his hand back to rub his face, pulling a little to fend off how tired he is. It's weird that for once he's the one struggling to keep up with Gongenzaka's energy. He's trying, though, because Gongenzaka has a plan and an initiative.

He nods. "I don't know what happened to Ignatius after. But I wanted to tell them about Rita and Strange. They'll definitely help."

Honestly, Gongenzaka wishes he had the strength to summon Marishi proper, or even soul connect right now. He could offer more support than a tight hug then.

...Instead he is left to listen to his daemon's reassurances and push on...hoping his friend can keep up. "We can share our theory, at the least, yes? Ignatius did...something. Whatever it is likely affects all of those with a contract."

He nods at Yuuya's suggestion as well. "The more we can share the better...though we seem to have limited time to do so each evening..." Hmm.

"...You know more of Strange and Rita than I," he determines quickly. "It may be best if you handle that matter."

Whatever it is that happened. "Mr. Strange said he felt power. His magic, I think? So, if we felt that, then we probably do too."

If only Yuya had half as useful powers for that. But it's fine, because he's got something else. "Maybe they can reach Mr. Strange and Rita directly. She's in Delta now, so they're in a place they can do more."

And not on threw verge of disappearing, like Yuya.

"Auuh. ...I suspect contacting Rita will prove troublesome if they cannot manage it on their own for that same reason..." That Delta rank, that is. He didn't try, but he can't imagine they're 'allowed' chatter.

... "...Yuuya..." He starts, only to stop short. The topic of delta after all has his thoughts rest on his own goals. ...not to mention Yuuya's failings. "About 'Delta'..."

Yuya glances up, pausing. "Oh--you're still trying to get up there with her, right?"

He assumes that's where Gon's going with that, since he'd expressed that intention before. Maybe he just plans to affirm it, and that means... they might be separated. He hasn't seen anyone on Delta since they were promoted.

He purses his lips, trying to shove how much that bothers him deep in his chest.

"Aaauh. Even before, it seemed an easier method of gaining information, and access for the sake of escape..." Though he is a bit worried for the same reason Yuuya is- they haven't seen anyone from Delta.

Another pause- though he blinks, humming a bit to himself with thought from there. "...My hope has been that it is a matter of 'training', or similar...when we first arrived here, it took much of the day to 'process' us, yes?" Gongenzaka looks to the other, frowning. "...If we do not see them..."

He would try using some soul based magic, but with how little success there was with Marishi he's fairly certain it would be a bust. Hmmm....

"But if we don't..." Yuya turns his face away, not wanting to look at Gongenzaka when he admits this.

"I don't know if I'll be able to keep this up," he admits wearily with a groan. "I have to do more trials, don't I? I can't keep up in the farm anymore."

The hunger's worse, and Yuya has a feeling it won't be the end of his trouble for failing twice. He really messed up that first week, didn't he? But now Rita's in Delta, so he can't find it in himself to regret it.

"....Quite likely," Gongenzaka admits slowly, moving to rest his head on Yuuya's. "....Strange suggested perhaps going directly to the Technicians to 'offer' trial ideas, but..."

Well, suffice to say he expects that to end equally poorly. Gongenzaka shakes- holding Yuuya tight, and clenching his jaw.

"...Yuuya," he finally states. "...Whatever happens, I, the man Gongenzaka, swear that I will hone my focus until what magic I have can reach you again...understand?"

"... I know." He'll do more than that, Yuya knows, leaning closer to Gongenzaka. Briefly, he wonders if wanting to be closer is too selfish when they might be torn apart.

But whether they admitted it or not, it probably wouldn't matter. He just wishes maybe he could be stronger. He thought he could bear the physical torture to stay together, but if Gongenzaka is going to leave anyway...

"They... they had her poison. At the trial. And they put it back in me, before..." Yuya trails off, a little ashamed he's trying to explain it so Gongenzaka can understand why it's hard to go through those.

Ah.

The poison. "...I, the man Gongenzaka...wish I could have known," he manages, closing his eyes as tears gather. "...Yuuya. You do not need to speak of this, if you do not want to," he adds more quietly. They spoke about the other's experience while poisoned before, to an extent after all.

To have experienced that again....

Yeah, having your unresolved trauma triggered again sucks.

"They wouldn't tell us anyway," he mumbles miserably. Because the Technicians are tight lipped, so much so they won't even talk about what they've done after they've done it. What data they collect, and Yuya's not sure he wants to hear it from them anyway.

He tilts his head up, his nose brushing under Gon's chin, the glow spots being slightly warmer. He realizes a little late he's dry and numb of tears, by now. He's already cried so much.

Edited 2018-10-19 03:42 (UTC)

It is a bit awkward to move his head when Yuuya's is already where it is, but somehow Gongenzaka manages to nuzzle the other a bit as he adjusts himself on the bunk. He's no longer flinching and looking to the side at least, so something must have changed mid conversation.

Either way- "...At the very least they will tell their 'assistants'," he determines gently. "...even a look can be a warning, can it not?"

It's a weak offer. The bigger draw of Delta is getting out of the place after all, not 'surviving' it. But...

"...No matter what happens Yuuya, I, the man Gongenzaka, know that you will survive it," he whispers, voice trembling only slightly. "...Survive, and surpass it, for that matter."

Is Gongenzaka saying that because he believes in Yuya, or can't bear to lose him? He hesistates before drawing back a little, so he can look him in the eyes properly.

"We all have to," he says with weak determination. "But... we also have to get out quickly, don't we?"

Otherwise, Yuya knows their chances slip further and further away. There's a level Yuya will never pass, but he can't hold Gongenzaka back either. To stay forever means to pull them further and further apart... no matter which direction they go. He doesn't want to let that happen.

He nods. "Aah. The sooner the better- what chances we have been granted after all, will not last long..." Eventually, perhaps especially now that they have his power in their chest, Ignatius will expire in some way. The contracts will nullify, and their advantage will fade.

Worse- they have no guarantee that if Ignatius is gone, their ally will deem them worth the risk. Altruism only goes so far when high fae are involved. "...Work as hard as you can," he tells the other softly. "...If someone offers you help, and they are of higher rank, you should accept it as well. If someone is still in such a position after all, they have managed somehow- right now, those of you at risk are of greater importance."

That part, is definitely because he can't bear to lose the other- and it shows in desperate eyes.

They are bold words, from someone who is not going to be handing him any baskets at this moment in time.

Yuya wonders if it'll be enough from anyway, but he nods. Some, he won't. Some need to stay afloat as they are. He'll try harder, but it's hard to guarantee anything.

At the same time, he knows he can't hold Gongenzaka back and ask him to stay. Even if this chance means he can only save himself... Yuya can't make himself really desire to have Gongenzaka stay in this torture for him, even if it means he'll be alone.

"I'll try. No matter what, you keep doing what you have to, okay?" His gaze flutters briefly, as words he hasn't returned sink in. If he has to spend all his time in the farm trying to recover, this may be the last peace they have.

"I love you, so..." Even as almost final words he says it almost as a whisper, glancing aside.

Gongenzaka is no mind reader, and though he has known Yuuya for literal years, he cannot at all imagine what thoughts run through the other's head- not to the extent that they are now, at least. He knows there must be fear. That there must be worry, certainly.

But he forces himself to think on escape. On protection for the other. And so he nods, resolve setting in.

With a gentle 'kiss' to the other's cheek, he curls up on the bunk around Yuuya. "I love you too, Yuuya."

Yuya's pulled easily with Gongenzaka to be held on the bunk, in part from surprise as his face flushes (making his face glowing even more obvious) and the hair on the back of his neck stands up a little. How the hell can he still say that so calmly, even in one piece?!

His fingers curl against Gongenzaka's neck, and he stumbles a little over his words again. "Y-you are getting into this way too easily."

He's very certain of his feelings, okay! He only split in half and reformed over it-

Naturally this means being called out on it has the opposite effect. "MNH!?" Gongenzaka immediately turns beet red, his face drawing back with a choke. "I- Is that so..!? D...Does it seem that way?!"

"We haven't even been boyfriends for a month." Yuya reaches to squish Gon's cheeks. He could be, like, a little more flustered about admitting he loves him. It makes Yuya feel a little bit childish, to still be so shy. "I never thought you cared about romance before."

Stop being the best thing ever, gosh.

"AAAAaaaAAaauh..." Well, he's flustered now. Good job. The redness increases to its usual glow as his cheeks are squished, hands awkwardly in the air at his sides as Yuuya does so. "I-It seemed the best thing to do..!" It's not that far off from what he normally does after all- The last few Years have been crushing hugs, and Gongenzaka himself literally rubbing his cheek against the other with vigor.

And that was before he was a fluffy fox thing.

As it is- being called out on it has his ears pinning back as he awkwardly looks away. "It... ...It seemed okay, in Shabon, after all..." Both of them were more hesitant, then. It had only just been confessed, they were both just trying it.

It seemed right- at least as an expression of comfort.

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