⇨ 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

[betheman]

"....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?"

[hippocarnival]

"... 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.

[betheman]

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....

[hippocarnival]

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.

[betheman]

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."

[hippocarnival]

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.

[betheman]

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.

[hippocarnival]

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.

[betheman]

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."

[hippocarnival]

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."

[betheman]

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?!"

[hippocarnival]

"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.

[betheman]

"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.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's brows lift as Gongenzaka takes that maybe too close to heart. Yuya was just a little ornery, and it's hard to appreciate the change in their relationship when they have no time to enjoy it, and instead are worrying constantly about the pain and separation.

Somehow, Gongenzaka's fallen into it far more easily than Yuya. And maybe, he thinks, he should take Gon's lead, instead of trying to figure exactly where they go next by himself.

So he smooths his hands against Gon's cheeks a little before leaning in closer. "Hey, can I kiss you?"

He doesn't have to ask, but he is.

[betheman]

"Mnh-?"

He hesitates- though it is very obviously not because he doesn't know the answer. Instead, it is simply that he is surprised by the question. His eyes still wide, and his face still red however, he nods.

"Auh- O...Of course!"

[hippocarnival]

Ha. That pulls a little smile out of Yuya as the tables are turned back right between them. And then he leans in to push their lips together.

He remembers sensations that send an unpleasant chill down his spine, when he was captured by the Fae in the hunt. And Gongenzaka's snout is a little hard to work around, but Yuya tilts his head and tries to mimick what was a little closer, a little more sweet had it only come from someone he actually wanted to kiss. There's an awkward stumble but Yuya manages to find a much better position than when he'd tried kissing Gon before.

[betheman]

It is extremely awkward, and kind of a mess.

Gongenzaka doesn't mind. Or at least, he can't bring himself to mind, because Yuuya is trying, and he's trying too (to help, sort of,), even if it's not really working.

And it is, at least, better than their first one somehow.

It's therefore impossible for him to not grin as he goes back to holding the other, nuzzling his cheek against Yuuya's face once the kiss breaks.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya said he'd figure it out. They would, if Gongenzaka decides against letting go of his changes. Although, this one with things stuck into him... Yuya's not sure if that really will reverse itself.

But he doesn't follow that train of thought, because as soon as he creates a gap between them Gongenzaka closes it again, and then Yuya's briefly muffled an his face itches against the fur. He tilts his head sideways as his grin widens. Absently he loops his arm around Gon's shoulders.

"You're really great."

[betheman]

Best not to think of it. Best not to question, at least for now. Maybe when all is over they can ask the Ringmaster but for now at least they can live in the moment and briefly forget about being locked in chrome hell.

"Mnh-! You are greater than I, you know..!" comes the perhaps expected protest, his face still red even now.

[hippocarnival]

"Nah," vetoed, overruled. And he could give Gongenzaka a million reasons and get a million counters. But as far as he's concerned, he couldn't be luckier than Gon chose him.

"I never really forgot it, you know? That you stayed." That he didn't just protect Yuya like many others, out of duty. Yuya has no idea what Gongenzaka say that day, but it must have been special. At least, it makes Yuya feel special when he thinks about it.

[betheman]

"N- N... 'Nah'??" No! He refuses this counter! No vetos!!

No!

"...Y-You would have done the same, would you not?" he protests, though somehow, it comes out quietly. Perhaps a bit bashfully, even.

[hippocarnival]

"Eh?" Yuya tilts his head and opens an eye to peek at Gongenzaka, bewildered.

"I mean, I was really weak. So of course you'd protect me, but then you decided to be my friend and... you didn't have to."

Yuya wasn't taught to protect people the way Gon was, so there really isn't a question of whether he'd do the same. Yuya was fragile and a lot more alone, when he had only Yuzu. Who was wonderful, but having one friend and then the rest of your class avoiding or bullying you kind of sucks.

"Of course I'd still want to be your friend, but it's kind of different isn't it?"

[betheman]

"W-well....perhaps there could come a time where I, the man Gongenzaka...Auh..."

Sadly, to claim there would ever be a time where he was too weak to handle something would go absolutely against his sheer determination to never let that happen. So his tongue only twists over the words as he sputters. "Mnh...! ...E-Even if it were somehow different Yuuya, your heart is still of impressive strength, you should know..! Your ability to care, and act for others..that in itself, is incredible!"

He could speak of all the times where that was especially the case, but then they would be here for a lot longer than they have to even sleep.

[hippocarnival]

Yeah, Yuya wouldn't even believe Gon's intentions was for Yuya to protect him one day anyway. He was a crybaby.

"That sounds like what I'd say about you, Gongenzaka." Which isn't a surprise for Yuya, because Gongenzaka has been someone he's wanted to strive for, to be as strong as, to make proud. Did he make it? He's not really sure.

"I just picked up some things from everyone amazing around me... like you." He shifts sideways a little, pulling his arm back. "Anyway, I was just saying that I'm really glad you stayed. everything you've done means a lot to me."

[betheman]

"Mnh..." No, stop that, that's too many compliments,

...He can't really argue with Yuuya. He simply lays back on the bunk, arms still somewhat around or over the other as he stares at him- perhaps to commit the moment to memory, in case it really is (but he refuses, he can't let it) the last time he has this sort of time with the other.

And...

"...I, the man Gongenzaka....feel that the same can be said for you, Yuuya." In his own way, Yuuya's actions mean everything to him as well.