The Midnight Game

[animusmods]

As the chosen residents approach the elevator, two retrieval units will be waiting to hand out a sheet of paper to each person. These sheets of paper contain the instructions for their game, as well as a number placing them in one of four groups. The groups will be called one by one into the elevator and, after a long ride down, will be released into an empty version of the Tower identical to the one they just left, with two differences: in place of the countless dormitory rooms are just enough rooms for each group member to occupy one, and each door is made of wood. Inside each room is a candle, a knife that will cut the skin of the person wielding it and nothing else, a blank piece of paper, a book of matches, and a container of salt. Once in their rooms, they are to begin The Midnight Game.

Midnight Game Instruction Sheet
1. Write your complete name on the piece of paper.
2. Use the knife to cut your skin and place at least one drop of blood on the paper, allowing it to soak in.
3. Turn off the lights in your room. This will turn off all the lights in the Tower.
4. Place the piece of paper on the floor in front of the door. Light your candle and plce it on top of the piece of paper.
5. Knock on the dor 22 times. Upon the twenty-second knock, it will be midnight.
6. Open the door, blow out the candle, and close the door.
7. Relight your candle.

You must now move around the Tower, keeping your candle with you at all times. Keep moving to avoid the Midnight Man. If your candle goes out, relight it immediately. If you cannot relight your candle, surround yourself with a circle of salt. If you are unsuccessful you will



Keep moving until 3:33AM. If you are not captured by the Midnight Man, you win the game. If your entire group fails, you will be punished.

Groups
Group One
Sora
Ienzo
Shion
Signless
Vriska
Minato
Mimio

Group Two
John
Suzaku
Russia
Terezi
Disciple
Link
Marceline
America

Group Three
Taiki
France (au2)
Willow Rosenberg
Handmaid
Aqua
Deneb
Echidna
Psiioniic

Group Four
Romeo
Nina Fortner
Sollux (au)
Namine
Riku
Vriska (au)
Erik
OoT!Zelda

Comments

[sageprincess]

[She nods once, holding the magic light out in front of her so it may illuminate their path as they walk. Shadows can be useful from time to time, but not when a single misstep can mean the difference between success and failure.]

A few weeks at most. And you?

[token_vengeance]

Months.

[Erik shook his head, running a hand through his hair, keeping his senses tuned in for anything metal moving, while his eyes tried to pierce the darkness as best as possible.]

This place keeps playing games. Trying to break us.

[sageprincess]

[For a brief moment, she shoots him a concerned glance. Months? She knew there were many others who have been trapped in this place longer than she has, but months?]

...I see. [She frowns a bit, eyes forward once more.] To what end, I wonder. Those who I have met here thus far do not seem easily broken.

[token_vengeance]

No, of course not. Most people I've seen here are actually attempting to settle in.

Not enough people are attempting to find a way out--a way back to their respective homeworlds.

[That annoyed him more than the idea of people breaking. Complacency.]

[sageprincess]

Perhaps they do not know what else to do.

[Better to make the best out of a bad situation rather than taking a risk at making it worse? She can't afford the luxury of thinking that way, but... she doesn't blame them.]

What would you suggest we do? You seem more knowledgeable about this place than I; have you found any leads as to an escape route?

[token_vengeance]

Well there are people here who would tell them what to do. Sheep need a shepard.

[And he'd be one, if he had to be.]

Not yet, no. But it doesn't mean there isn't one. My partner has been in contact with those that 'run't his place. I've been trying to see if they've slipped at all when speaking to us.

[sageprincess]

[She frowns a bit at that analogy, but:] Then it is just a matter of organizing them. I am certain no once truly wishes to remain in this place.

[That second bit piques her interest, though. To her knowledge, it was impossible to communicate with their captors.]

They have? How?

[token_vengeance]

Some might--if they truly believe the lies they are telling us.

[Erik shakes his head slightly.]

Over the communication system.

[sageprincess]

Time will reveal this place for the fabrication it is eventually. If not before, they will certainly see reason then.

[There's a vague look of incomprehension as she mentally connects the dots. Still kind of getting used to the technology here.]

...Those strange boxes? I see. Have they said anything of note?

[token_vengeance]

I think you over estimate the intelligence of people.

[Erik has a dim view of most.

He shook his head, pressing his lips together in frustration.]

No. Tried to claim that we were ungrateful for not believing their lies.

[sageprincess]

I have been a fool many times in my life, and each time I have learned from my mistakes and have done everything in my power to correct them. Perhaps it is optimistic, but I do not find it extraordinary to think that others are capable of doing the same.

[Yeah, she falls squarely on the idealism side of the scale.

She frowns, disappointed but not surprised.]

And yet they force us into these games for no discernible reason. For liars they are doing a poor job of sowing gratitude.

[token_vengeance]

[Erik looks over at her, shaking his head.]

I know someone who talks like that.

But I'm a realist. I know what humanity is capable of. I don't have high hopes that they will choose the best path.

[His experiences have taught him they always take the worst.]

They don't need to. So far no one has attempted to stage a takeover of the Tower...or any sort of rebellion.

This place makes it very hard to do so. So they don't need to...do much to make us happy.