Collar Checkup Boycott

[animusmods]

Characters: open to all
Setting: infirmary; around the Tower in general
Format: party-style all week; please note the date your post is taking place in the subject line
Summary: The results of the collar boycott slowly become clear...
Warnings: standard Tower warnings
Note: You may NPC your own retrieval units.

The results don't begin to become clear until Tuesday--Monday passes more or less without incident, except for the number of orange-collared residents who miss their checks. And on Tuesday, the retrieval units are out to search for them. It doesn't seem like they were meant to recover so many, though: a clever resident will be able to avoid their retrieval unit entirely. And so, some oranges continue to have escaped their collar checkup today.

It's worse on Wednesday. Retrieval units are out and about again, but this time to try and search for the yellow-collared residents who skipped the day before. No orange-collared residents are searched out at all, and even then there seems to be enough confusion in the programming of the retrieval units any boycotting yellows can run off and hide if they're careful about it.

By the time Thursday arrives, there's a general, obvious level of confusion in the retrieval units' retrieval programming. They were obviously not programmed to be searching for so many colors at once. Some residents may find themselves being dragged in for a second collar check this week, even if they went to theirs, and the infirmary seems to be working at double time. No one even bothers to search for the two wayward greens.

By Friday the retrieval units are out in a number that seems more fitting for a small militia than anything else. Still, they seem more intent on tracking down the greens--their programming still telling them to retrieve those who were missed the day before--but they don't seem to know which greens they're looking for. Anyone with a green collar may be dragged in for a collar check, possibly multiple times today.

Saturday is chaos in the infirmary. The retrieval units seem to have entirely lost sight of who they're actually searching for, and anyone brought into the checkup room will be able to see how messy and confused it looks, with no real time to clean it and orange through violet collar fluid all lined up at once where normally only the color of the day and of the day before would be out at all. Again people may be brought in for multiple checks while those intent on evading capture can remain elusive.

But Sunday--on Sunday the entire process breaks down. There's too much volume for the retrieval units to handle, and they scatter about in a strange catch and release program, dragging anyone they catch to random places around the Tower before letting them go. They don't seem to be entirely certain of what they're supposed to be doing.

Something else happens on Sunday, as well...

Comments

[wrigurun]

Is it?

[She never had any trouble getting in, maybe she was just lucky to catch them at the right times]

Dunno what it is though. Thought I did but he [She points at Edgeworth] says I don't.

[frilliance]

['He'? RUDE, Wriggle. Edgeworth will resist commenting, however. Instead, he smirks at Dia. which is the only non-rare type of smile you will get from Edgeworth. Sorry, Dia.] You're catching on, Diarmuid.

[And with that, he takes the towels and places them on the counter. Then, with great care, he presses the valve to open the container, partially covers the container with the lid without attaching it (to prevent as much air getting inside as possible) and cautiously tries to pour a very tiny bit of liquid onto the paper.

When the deed is done, Edgeworth quickly re-attaches the lid to stop any more of the stuff from escaping.]

[animusmods]

[The liquid stains the paper, but quickly turns clear just as before.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid watches Edgeworth's actions, his eyes widening when he sees the liquid.]

That... That's yellow collar fluid, isn't it? Why would they leave something like that unguarded?

[His eyes flick to the rest of the containers before returning to Wriggle and Edgeworth.]

No wonder you had her watching the door! We probably shouldn't linger here much longer. There is no telling when the retrieval units will return...

[wrigurun]

Ooh, so that's what it is!

[She had been watching over his shoulder curiously. Now they framed it like that, yeah it did seem pretty important]

Do you really think they'd make a mistake like that?

[frilliance]

[Took you a while, Wriggle.] Not normally, no. However, given recent events, I suppose it was natural that this would happen.

[And with that, Edgeworth grabs the box, carefully places the container inside horizontally and then starts placing bandages on top of it.]

Miss, keep watching the door until I've finished.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid's eyes shift to the door and then to Wriggle.]

Would you? You did a great job when I came in. We shouldn't be here much longer. Natural or not, they aren't likely to let this mistake go uncorrected for very long...

[He nods to Edgeworth.]

This will have to be hidden well. Our trunks are probably too obvious...

[There is a moment of silence before he continues is a much quieter voice.]

Have you ever been to the sauna floor, Edgeworth? We each have a locker there that will only open to us. It might be a good place for your spare bandages...

[wrigurun]

[She seems a little cynical of the compliment but she drifts back to the door all the same]

Alright, but you owe me if anyone else comes along.

[Even watching the halls she still keeps and ear on the conversation, although she doesn't really understand it herself]

[frilliance]

I thank you. [And with that, he turns to Diarmuid.]

The sauna? I haven't been there myself but I do know where it is. I suppose we'd better make our way there now. [Which will be dangerous, considering the number of monsters that roam at night. Someone is trying to avoid using the elevators. However, Diarmuid has a point - the dorms would be the first place that the retrieval units would search.

Finally, Edgeworth finishes and picks the box up.]

There. I have finished. Shall we.....?

[And to Wriggle.] Your job is done, Miss. I am in your debt.

[oathshackledbird]

It is after nightfall and the monsters are roaming. I am actually surprised to see you out at this hour, Edgeworth. I would almost prefer to see you back to our room and then take the container down myself. I know we have been training, but our training is only beginning.

[Diarmuid steps toward the door and then nods to Wriggle.]

May I ask your name, Lady? This find is just as much yours as it is ours, and I don't want to cut you out of decisions about it. Are you okay with this plan? I will be glad to pass whatever information we eventually find onto you.

[wrigurun]

[She strikes a small pose as her name is asked]

My name is Wriggle Nightbug! And if you're trying to get that thing somewhere safe it seems like you need an escort. I'm no stranger when it comes to fighting monsters.

[And no stranger to running away from them either but that's by the by]

But I'm okay with whatever you guys want to do. I don't care either way.

[frilliance]

I, ah.......had a few things to do before bed. [Yes, that's a lie.]

Well, um....Miss Nightbug [Sheesh, what a weird name.]. Your help is much appreciated.

[oathshackledbird]

If you would help us get to the elevator, Lady Nightbug, that would be appreciated. I am a trained fighter, but my roommate is just starting his training. I would like to see him safely to the dorms before I go and place this in its hiding spot.

[Diarmuid raises an eyebrow at Edgeworth. He knows a lie when he hears it and that was a lie. However, he doesn't question the man about it now. There will be time later for that.]

[wrigurun]

Hey, it's not a problem!

[Three small balls of light materialize around her. They're a little different to the ones she shot at Diarmuid earlier, they have less of a defined shape but if they need saving in a pinch it'll give them some quick firepower. Just a precaution really]

Are you ready? If people are gonna be after you you better be fast.

[frilliance]

J-just hang on a moment! I'd quite like to see this sauna room myself.

Furthermore, um.....there are a couple of things I'd like to deal with before I board the elevator. P-perhaps you two could go on ahead and I will join you soon afterwards? [Something is wrong here, Dia. This is rather......abnormal behaviour for Edgeworth, who would normally be far more sensible than to go roaming about the tower at night on his own.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Indeed it is and if the narrowing of Diarmuid's eyes doesn't give away that he has noticed the odd behavior, his voice certainly will.]

Edgeworth, you know I can't allow you to wonder around on your own right now. Not with the monsters out. Do you even have a weapon with you?

We will go to the sauna together. Between Lady Nightbug and I there is no doubt the trip will be a safe one. If you wish and she doesn't mind, we can attend to those things you need to do on the way to the elevators. But we shouldn't delay long. The sooner that is hidden, the better.

[wrigurun]

Yeah Edgeworth, you're gonna get yourself killed!

[Unfortunately Wriggle's method for getting stubborn people to do things is to tease them into doing them. It always worked on her]

What do you need to do that's so important anyway? Didn't you hear your friend? The sooner the better!

[frilliance]

Nnnnnnrk! [Diarmuid and Wriggle were right and Edgeworth knew it. It was too dangerous for him to be wandering on his own at night. He hoped (although he knew deep down that it wouldn't work) that he could talk his way out of accompanying Diamuid and Wriggle and find chaos who would teleport him to the sauna. Unfortunately, one of the few things that terrified Edgeworth - even more so than the monsters - was boarding an elevator. It was humiliating enough that he had to rely on a strange boy to help him teleport to the cafeteria and back twice a day. And Edgeworth would much rather it stayed that way.

Still, he did not know where chaos was and even if he did know, he could not let Diarmuid or Wriggle follow him. Otherwise, the prosecutor could very well break his promise to chaos to keep quiet about his teleportation powers.

Still, if Edgeworth went on the elevator with Wriggle and Diarmuid, if they saw him start panicking or fainting, what would they think? They would laugh at him! Grown men were not frightened of elevators (even though most people who knew of Edgeworth's history would understand why he would avoid them like the plague).

In rage, the prosecutor stormed out of the room and towards the direction of the elevator. You might want to catch up with him, guys. Before he does something incredibly careless like drop the box.]

[oathshackledbird]

[To say Diarmuid is startled by Edgeworth's reaction would be an understatement. He's never seen his normally reserved and calm roommate act like this before.

He gives Wriggle a confused, and somewhat apologetic, look.]

I'm sorry... He's normally not like this. I...don't know what is wrong.

[Diarmuid then dashes off after Edgeworth, trusting that Wriggle will follow behind as she has said she would.]

[wrigurun]

Hey don't worry, he was suspicious from the get go!

[And she propels herself forward, much quicker in the air than she is on the ground. It doesn't take long for Wriggle to overtake Edgeworth and she swings around, her arms stretched out either side to block his path]

Hold it right there!

* crawls back from hiatus *

[frilliance]

Gaaah! [Edgeworth stops dead in his tracks the moment Wriggle floats in front of him, causing him to suddenly drop the box to the ground, bandages flying out.]

Now look what you have done! [Wriggle and Diarmuid may or may not notice that Edgeworth's sudden outburst of anger sounds a little too forced, as if he is trying to hide something. That, and the fact that his face has turned as white as a sheet might suggest something.]

WB!

[oathshackledbird]

[The box remains spilled for only a split second, then Diarmuid seems to appear out of thin air, repacked box in his hands. He doesn't hand the box back to Edgeworth, though. Instead, he gives the man a hard look.]

Something is going on. You're not acting right. This isn't the place to talk about it, though. Someone could show up at any moment. Lets get on the elevator. We can talk there. It's not like we won't have quite a long wait.

[wrigurun]

Well if you weren't in such a hurry!

[She puts her hands on her hips and scowls down at him. Her pouting doesn't last long as she lurches back in surprise at Diarmuid's sudden reappearance]

What the- How did you do that?

[frilliance]

Of course I'm in a hurry! We need to get that wretched con- Nggggggh![It's then that he suddenly sees Diarmuid with the repacked box.....yeah, he will never stop finding that incredibly disturbing.

Unfortunately, Diarmuid's next comment really does nothing to help the situation. In fact, it just makes the other man snap back.] Th-there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. It's just your imagination.

[oathshackledbird]

Speed is one of my specialties.

[Diarmuid's answer to Wriggle's question is short. He doesn't mean to be rude, but at the moment he is more worried about Edgeworth's strange behavior than anything else.

He gives his roommate a stern look.]

I am imagining nothing. Certainly not my normally calm and collected roommate acting as if he's having a panic attack...