001 ▼

[anti]

Characters: soma, hyunlee, and you!
Setting: fourth floor; five minutes before nightfall.
Format: action.
Summary: hyunlee's out, trying to understand about this tower. he shortly encounters two monsters (centaur and failed FEV subject), but thankfully he isn't alone.
Warnings: not much, just taking care of monsters.


[ The sun has almost completely set... As Hyunlee straightens his Fenrir New-Type uniform, his eyes roam cautiously around these halls. Something just didn't feel right about this place. While he didn't know what it could be, he does know something else. He's not about to just lounge around and accept what a simple note has told him. There's no way that he can just be happy, especially not after being told that his world has been destroyed.

There's no way he can believe that easily, either. That's at least a simple goal in mind, he needs to find out why, the real reason of why that note was sent to him. Why was he brought here? Is it because he's a rare New-Type? Perhaps he might've been simply kidnapped. Or if his world is truly destroyed, then what of the others? Are they all right? Is he the only one here? There's just so much questions that plague the New-Type's mind.

That is until after he turns at the next corner, then he finds his eyes quickly widening at the sight of unfamiliar creatures. The looks they have are dreadful, enough to cause his heart to skip a heavy beat. Their features are instantly recognizable. The shape of their bodies and its physical traits, regardless horribly indescribable due to its unspeakable horrors... They're not just monsters. These are... Undoubtedly mutated humans! ]

What—

[ Hyunlee takes a small step backwards, not wanting to kill them at first if they're still sentient to an extent. Though, that didn't seem to be the case. It's shortly did those creatures wordlessly start crawling towards him in haste, not giving signs of consciousness at all. That's why the boy makes no hesitations himself, drawing out his God Arc (which literally came out of his wrist armlet) and going into position. ]

I don't know what you are. But, if you're going to get in my way...!

Comments

[hardknoxlife]

[ And walking past is this nosey mcnoserson. Of course, he's only been like that due to the fact his boss has finally come around which means he's going to be relied on for information gathering. So pardon him as he comes over, nibbling at an energy bar with one hand jammed into his pants pocket. ]

Hate to break it to you lot but I don't think there's anything called a proper exit in this place. You're welcome to try, however.

[ Another bite before he dusts his hands, reaching to put his gloves back on. ]

The network's down, too. Been down for oh... three days now, I'd wager?

[anti]

[. . . !]

[The sudden voice causes an immediate turn out of Hyunlee, faintly surprised from it as well. Though, in the end, he appreciates it. As it seems that this person knows well on what he's talking about...]

What? So, we really are prisoners here? Just what is this place?

[Hearing about the network further perks his interest. The network's been down as he thought... Maybe something did happen here?]

[assaulter]

...It's rather rude to listen in on somebody's conversation.

[Except, he shouldn't really be criticizing anybody when it comes to polite manners. Soma eyes this new person suspiciously.]

"Try"...

I'm assumming there have been multiple attempts to escape?

[Who'd really want to stay in a place like this anyway?]

[hardknoxlife]

Yeah, right, sorry about that. Couldn't help but overhear, is all. Any and all attempts at getting out is bound to call someone's interest, mind?

[ And putting his gloves back on, adjusting the fingers. ]

None that I've seen outright but prolly safe to assume there have been, eh? S'not like everyone wants to be here.

[ And glancing back at Hyunlee. ]

Buggered if I know. Just some creepy tower that likes pulling people in after saying their world's been destroyed and everything. Absolute bollocks if you ask me.

[anti]

Oh...

[From how all that sounded like, this place has been collecting kidnapped people for quite a while now. How long, he wonders. They're not the first case at all. This person... is just like them. What disheartening news.]

Hasn't anyone been able to figure out who sent us that note, at least? Does this place even have a name?

[assaulter]

Got that right.

[Breaking out of this place doesn't seem like a simple task though.]

I'd also like to know what's the point of bringing us here. Are we part of some sort of freaky experiment?

[Soma can't think of any other reason as to why he's been brought here... aside from the fact that he'd make a good test subject.]

[hardknoxlife]

'Fraid I've got no clue whatsoever about all that. Did catch wind of some bloke named Jason, I believe it was? Had a bit of a question forum up a few days back.

[ Tilting his head in curiosity though. ]

I'd wager you're both new then?

[anti]

Question forum... It's in the network archive then, right?

[Jason. Can't say that Hyunlee's ever heard of anyone by that name, but he'll note it from now on. He'll also take a look at that question forum later on, it'll definitely give them more ideas about this place.]

Oh, yeah... We just arrived and woke up earlier. Sorry for all our questions, by the way. We really appreciate all this, though.

[assaulter]

[Soma kind of just... knocks Hyunlee on the back of the head in a rough scolding manner.]

Quit being so nice to him! Aside from that latest tidbit, this guy [Pointing at Ronald now.] has been pretty useless.

[Soma's not sure how long this guy has been around... but based on the answers they've received, he almost seems as clueless as they were.]

[hardknoxlife]

[ Raising a brow now, Soma. Really. You and his boss should hang out. But he's taking it in stride. ]

Oh now come on. Just passing what I know, eh? Pardon me for not exactly figuring it out from the get-go.

And yeah, that little bit should be on the network once it gets up and running again. Give it a few days.

[anti]

Ow, geez!

[Hyunlee moves his hands to rub the back of his poor head...]

M-maybe that's the case, but at least we have more confirmations about this place. And we're able to figure out at least, that we're not exactly the only ones taken here, right?

[It's strange to think about it, but it does feel a bit comforting that they're not alone together. If they could find more people to help, then solving the mystery of this tower will be easier.]

Say, I've also been wondering... What are these collars for? What's this liquid inside it?

[assaulter]

[That would make a really awkward party. One full of linefaces and judging the heck out of the people in their daily lives.

Kind of like what Soma is doing right now to both Ronald and Hyunlee.]

Man up. I didn't hit you that hard.

[He's giving Ronald the eye now as if asking, 'Can you at least answer this question?']

[hardknoxlife]

[ Yeah. They should totes hang out. With Claude. It'll be the most quiet party ever.

And surprise surprise, he can answer your question, Hyunlee! ]

I'd warn you about trying to take them off. Apparently, these things [ tapping his own collar ] keep us alive. Buggered if I know how.

Jason said something about the collars being filled with this liquid, see? Different colors mean different chemicals or summat.

[anti]

Th-they... what—

[...Now, not only do they need Bias Factor injections to live, but now they need to be careful with this liquid as well? The thought is horrifying, because honestly, what else could be done to lessen their humanity as it is? Hyunlee clenches his hands, unable to swallow what he just heard.]

But! We were supposedly "saved," weren't we? Why would we need these things... Did they do something to us, after all?

[assaulter]

....Lovely.

[Now he has another that that's being involuntarily pumped into him.]

Rather than saved, it's starting to feel more and more like they just want to mess with us.

[Soma pokes at the mentioned collar that's hidden under his clothes.]

So it's not some sort of restraint like we thought earlier...

Aside from the different chemicals, is there a reason why there are different colors though?

[hardknoxlife]

Buggered if I know.

[ And he's just gonna lean against a nearby wall, frowning slightly. To tell these newcomers about the whole your-friend-doesn't-really-belong-to-your-world malarkey or not. ]

Course, I never once believed they really saved us, mind.

[ And glancing back up at Soma. ]

That's all he said, I'm afraid. Not much of an answer there but it's what we've got.

[anti]

That's... right. I refuse to acknowledge it myself. [...] But still, lack of information aside, thank you for sharing what you know.

[Hyunlee's eyes fall a little. This place... It's really bizarre. What could this all mean? There's an uncomfortable gut feeling that refuses to go away.]

One last thing, though. Those monsters... What are they?

[assaulter]

They really like to hide the more important things people would like to know about.

[Soma didn't have any other questions he wanted to bombard Ronald with. However Hyunlee brought up something he'd also like to know.]

They're not like any of the ones we've fought back in our world.

[hardknoxlife]

Can't say they look like anything we've faced back home either.

[ And folding his arms behind his head. ]

Though I have to be honest with you. There's a whole bunch of things that went on the network about this place and you two seem like a sensible lot.

There's prolly a few other things you'd want to know.

[ Though he doesn't really look that tense save for the tiny twitch of his rubbing his shoe against the back of his foot. ]

See, they only saved one person per world.

[anti]

... Huh?

[Naturally, of course, that goes over Hyunlee's head. Someone from his world is obviously right beside him, so he doesn't immediately understand the context. There's a faint sight of nervousness, as the gut feeling from earlier still continues to taunt him, but he manages a bright smile regardless.]

One person? That Jason person said that? It can't be... I mean, Soma and I are from the same world.

[assaulter]

"One person per world"?

[Not that his expression has changed much but now Soma is giving Ronald a incredulous look. He didn't even need to bother stating how he thinks that sounds stupid and ridiculous. Hyunlee pretty much stated it already.]

...Does that mean one of us is a "fake"?

[Using the term "fake" is a lot harsher than Soma intended it to be. But he didn't know how else to word it.]

[hardknoxlife]

Not necessarily, no.

[ And a slight frown as he lowers his arms, pressing his fingertips together. How best to phrase it... ]

Cor, I dunno. Jason said something about there being different realities with very minor differences. Like say... if you were picking between coffee or tea for breakfast, a whole new world would be created where you picked coffee and another where you picked tea.

[ And looking back up. ]

That kind of thing. Both real but from different... uh... worlds, I s'ppose.

[anti]

[An alternate reality... The concept of different worlds. Are all of these really possible? Though, just being here, witnessing things that they never had before... The only possible explanation is indeed that. Though, the fact that is absolute would mean that everyone in their own respective worlds is—]

[...!] W-wait! How is this certain? That has to be a joke, I—

[Hyunlee trails off a little in his words, slowly glancing at Soma with the same expression. If that's true...]

Haha... Oh, come on. That means that there are two of me, right? Like a doppelganger? That's just silly superstition. This Jason person sure likes to screw with us.

[assaulter]

[It's not like Soma has fully accepted this to be a fact. But at the moment, he's unable to even return a glance back towards Hyunlee. He's pretty much focusing his eyes on everything else except in the younger boy's general direction.

He tugs on his hood even more as if to hide that grim expression on his face.

What if that was true? All of the people he knew are dead. And the Hyunlee next is...]

not the one that I know.

Tch...! How are we suppose to believe something like that?!

[hardknoxlife]

[ He didn't want to think about it, really. Not with William and Grell in the Tower along with him. He didn't want to think that the William who had gotten him back to his senses wasn't the same one who'd push him for overtime, the one he'd make coffee for on occasions, the one he looked up to and respected... and he didn't even want to get started on Grell. His (as much as he would never admit it) pseudo family so to speak.

But he kept a brave face, managing a semblance of a laugh. ]

Like I said! Load of bollocks if you ask me. If they're trying to pull the wool over our eyes, they should have gotten up earlier than that.

Wouldn't take their word for it. S'not like they can really prove the whole "worlds have been destroyed" bit, eh?