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

[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...

[wrigurun]

Is this weird? I thought he was usually like this.

Sneaky and looking like he's up to no good.

[Having only just met the pair, Wriggle wasn't really aware there was anything different about him]

Hope this is okay, guys! If it's not, I'll change it.

[frilliance]

[Were Edgeworth in a calmer state, he would have replied that the exact same thing could be said about Wriggle.

Instead, he is too busy being angry and upset about what Diarmuid has said because....unfortunately, the man is right.]

I-I am not- nggggggggh! [And with that, he pushes Wriggle out of the way and storms down the corridors to the elevator.

When you catch up with him, you will find him standing in front of the dreaded doors, staring long and hard at the Open button, while taking deep breaths and trying very hard (and failing miserably) not to start shaking. Suddenly, he moves his hand and quickly jabs the button and instantly moves his finger away, as if the button were going to bite his whole finger off.

Unfortunately, after the elevator doors open, Edgeworth just stands there, trying to gather up the courage to go inside.

He can do this, he keeps telling himself. He can go through those 100 floors. There will be no problems. There will be no earthquake, the elevator will not suddenly stop, he will not be stuck inside for hours and there will be no murder...

O-or will there?]

It's fine with me!

[oathshackledbird]

[When he catches up to Edgeworth, Diarmuid puts a hand on the man's shoulder to keep him from entering the elevator for the moment.]

Something tells me it's not a good idea for you to get onto that thing in the condition you are in. I don't know why you are so scared, but I have seen such terror before in the eyes of those who were not prepared for the reality of battle, so don't waste your breath telling me you are not scared. Would you rather we took the stairs? It will be more hazardous, but I can carry you both. My speed will be lowered slightly, but that will hardly matter considering how fast I am.

[He looks to Wriggle.]

Would you mind that, Lady? Super speed is my specialty as I mentioned. It might not be the most glamorous way to travel, but I don't think it's a good idea for him to get on the elevator if is it scaring him so much.

[wrigurun]

[It's like pushing something through water. She hadn't thought of him being aggressive enough to actually push his way through and the motion catches her off guard. It only takes her a moment to right herself though]

Hey! Get back here!

[She follows Diarmuid down the corridor to the elevator and is actually surprised that he's still there. While Wriggle really didn't fully understand the situation it seemed like the other man did]

I really don't care. He's your friend, you probably know what's best.

[frilliance]

[Edgeworth tried to wriggle his shoulder out of Diarmuid's hand, not being used to being touched by other people except for a handshake or to give or receive something.

Diarmuid's comment, however, caught him off-guard. He was about to keep denying it when Diarmuid pointed out that he's seen that look on terrified men in battle.

Ugh.....there was no use denying it. Diarmuid was quite an intelligent and perceptive man. Besides, even if he were not, the way the prosecutor was shivering and sweating would have given it away eventually.

Ugh...this was utterly humiliating.]

I.....

[Edgeworth grits his teeth and grabs his arm in order to pull himself together.]......Fine. I admit it. Are you two going to laugh now? If you are, then get on with it!

[oathshackledbird]

Fears are nothing to laugh at.

[Diarmuid's gaze flicks to Wiggle hoping that she will treat this situation with the seriousness it deserves. He has only just met her so he has no idea how she might react to this. Elevators might seem like an odd thing to fear, but considering the strength of Edgeworth's fear obviously something very traumatic happened to him in or near one.]

You should have just said something. There was no need for you to get yourself so upset...

[wrigurun]

[Wriggle is unfortunately not that tactful and laughs as prompted, at least until Diarmuid states there's nothing amusing about it]

Haha, well I guess those elevator things are pretty unnatural. We never had anything like this back home.

But your face was kinda funny [Smirk]

WRIGGLE. SDJFLSKDJFSLDKJFS

[frilliance]

[And with that, Wriggle, all you will get in response is a very, very intimidating and ice-piercing glare. Edgeworth may not be much of a fighter at the moment but he's good at making those.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid steps between them, giving them both a look that says 'settle down.']

Now is not the time to be fighting. We have more important things to deal with remember?

[Diarmuid taps the box he has under his arm.]

Unless you would rather I leave you here two here to fight like a pair of children while I deal with hiding the box?