towerofanimus | Collar Checkup Boycott

Collar Checkup Boycott

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...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Even with Diarmuid in the way she still tries to glare back at Edgeworth from over his shoulder. She had to hand it to him though, he had a pretty solid glare. She was feeling tense just from keeping eye-contact]

Like I said, I don't really care what you want to do with the box. But if you need a hand I can tag along.

[~~YOU CANNOT OUTGLARE ME! 111111eleventy~~

Ugh.....This elevator was really getting to him - to the point he was arguing with a little girl. Deliberately ignoring Wriggle for the moment, he turns to Diamuid, trying to return to his normal calm and collected self.] Let's....just get out of here, first things first.

[Diarmuid nods, glad that Edgeworth doesn't seem to want to continue the fight. He really hadn't expected it from his roommate, but at the same time he hadn't expected the behavior he had just witnessed either. However, instead of speaking to Edgeworth immediately, he turns to Wiggle.]

Since we have to take the stairs, I will need to carry Edgeworth at least. How fast are you, Wriggle? If someone else carries the box, I could carry you both, but it would not be that smooth of a trip. If you are pretty fast, though, I would be glad to lower my speed so that you can keep up with us.

I'd say I'm pretty fast in the air! Dunno about on the ground though, I've never had to race anyone on foot.

Are you really that fast though? I thought you just teleported or something. So what do you need me for? Monster duty? I can stun them long enough for you to get through.

Probably.

[......Is Diarmuid really going to carry him all the way upstairs?

This really is far worse than "Not my day". Having to be carried up because you did not have the guts to board an everyday method of transport that everyone and their mother uses. Edgeworth feels as if his ~~overblown~~ ego has been destroyed within five minutes.

Hopefully nobody will see this. Especially not the other Lancer.] .....Is there really no other way to go up the stairs? Besides walking, the elevator and.....what you have just suggested? [Edgeworth realises that the answer is very likely "No" but it would not hurt to check, for the sake of his MANLY MANLY MANLY pride.]

No, everything I do is speed based. I have no teleportational abilities. When I disappear, it is because I am moving so fast your eyes cannot follow me any longer.

[As if to prove his point, Diarmuid suddenly vanishes from Edgeworth's side appearing next to Wiggle in less that the blink of an eye.]

If I have my way, any monsters we run into will be outrun instead of fought. It is just quicker that way and I don't have to worry about something happening to the container or anyone with me. Because of that, perhaps it would be best if we went our separate ways now? I know you don't really care that much about the container, but if you ever do wonder I will be glad to give you whatever information I have. You need only to ask.

[Diarmuid turns back to Edgeworth and shakes his head.]

Unless one of you can teleport and haven't told me, then there is no other way that I know of. If it is any comfort to you, Edgeworth, if it ends up only being me and you I can move so quickly no one who might be out will see us pass.

Gah!

[She lurches back, shocked at his sudden appearance. This only made her tense, Wriggle didn't particularly like things that could sneak up on her like that since she was so used to sensing peoples movements with her antennae. Better not get on his bad side]

Uh... yeah sure. I mean if it turns out to be important then I want in on the credit too.

Guess I'll be seeing you around then?

ooc [Is it okay to handwave that Diarmuid told Wriggle about the research groups then? Since I still need an IC reason for her involvement]

Hmph.....I suppose I really have no choice, then.

[And with that, he turns to Wriggle.]

Miss Nightbug, if you are going to leave us, then I have one request before you depart.

I would like you to keep our meeting a secret. Not one word to anyone, am I clear? [Yes, he's referring to both the liquid and the elevator.]

(OOC: Totally okay! It is actually what I thought would happen!)

[Diarmuid nods toward her.]

Don't worry. I will let you know about anything that comes up as a result of this. You two deserve the credit for finding the container, not me. I just get involved because I heard you talking.

[Edgeworth's sharp tone makes Diarmuid frown, though he can't argue with the man's words.]

Until we find out exactly what is going on, secrecy is probably the best idea. We don't know how the Administrators will react and I would hate for you to be harmed when you don't even know where the container is anymore.

[She eyed him smugly and folded her arms]

And what if I don't? What are you going to do to keep me quiet?

[She wouldn't really, heck she probably wouldn't remember his freak out until someone bought it up again. However with Diarmuid's words she backed off slightly. It wasn't fun but at the same time she hated the admins as much as anyone else. She wouldn't forgive herself if she actually helped them out]

Alright, fine I won't say anything. But if it turns out to be super important then tell people that I helped.

[Edgeworth was secretly relieved that Diarmuid had butted in just then. He really does not want to go into detail about his problems. However, Wriggle now seemed to get the message.

Still trying to look as dignified as possible, he turns to Wriggle.] .....I thank you. [He might as well trust her for now. She's got a good reason not to say anything, anyway.]

Of course. This is your and Edgeworth's discovery, not mine. Whatever comes of it, I will see that people know you were involved.

[It is basically the same thing he said before, but if repeating it will put Wriggle at ease as to his intentions, then Diarmuid has no problem with that.

He bows his head to Wriggle before speaking again.]

If you do not mind, then, we will say good bye here and I will see getting this hidden and getting my roommate back to the dorms. It was good meeting you, Lady Nightbug.

Uh, yeah. You too...

[Honestly she's not used to such a formality as 'lady']

But stay safe and everything. I'd hate for fancy pants over here to get killed after getting so worked up. It's not fun at all.

[Note to self: Must not lose his cool. MUST NOT LOSE HIS COOL.]

I would prefer to be called 'Mr. Edgeworth', thank you. And you need not draw attention to that mortifying moment!

[Diarmuid looks back and forth between Edgeworth and Wiggle. While it might be a little hard to tell exactly how old Wriggle is, Edgeworth is certainly an adult. So why does Diarmuid feel like he's babysitting a pair of children?]

I appreciate all of your help, Lady Nightbug. I will make sure that Lord Edgeworth makes it back to the room safely. You can count on that.

[Though, if they are going to start with the title game, he is certainly not sitting it out...]

Alright then Mr. Edgeworth fancy pants, I won't.

[She's being sincere about not telling, but at the same time it's hard not to make fun]

Good, I guess I'll be seeing you two then.

[Were Edgeworth more stable, he would have just frowned at Diarmuid and Wriggle and then left it at that. Unfortunately, as he is not, both Dia and Wriggle just end up riling him up even more and so he just glares at them and, in a very low voice...] Grow up, the pair of you.

[Gdit, it is humiliating enough that one of his biggest secrets in the tower has just been uncovered and that one of his biggest greatest weaknesses put on display. That, and he has to let go of his pride and get carried upstairs, which he would rather get over with as soon as possible.

...These two do not need to make it even worse.]

We are not the only ones acting like children.

[Diarmuid's words are low and sharp as he gives Edgeworth a hard look, one that had sent many of the Fianna cowering in the past. Perhaps his joke had been ill-timed, but he had been trying to defuse the situation. Edgeworth's overreaction is only making it worse. His gaze lasts only a moment, though, as he turns to bow one last time to Wriggle.]

May we meet again under better circumstances. Until then, be well Lady Nightbug.

[He turns then and starts walking toward the stairs with the box still tucked under his arm. While he says no more, his posture makes it clear to Edgeworth that he should follow.

Quietly.]

[The proper response to being told to grow up was to make a face and stick out your tongue. Always.

But after being addressed by Diarmuid she seemed to be in good spirits]

I will! You stay safe too, okay?

[With nothing more to be said she finally takes her leave, flying down towards the cafeteria having already forgotten what she came up for in the first place]

[Unfortunately, even Diarmuid's harsh look did not have an effect on Edgeworth - being raised by a prosecutor who glared at people to intimidate them, probably bullied you a lot and put you under a lot of pressure so you could become a prosecutor at just 20 and living with a girl who whipped people a lot (especially you) unfortunately did that to you.

Still, Edgeworth was about to tell Diarmuid that how dare he say that when......he realised that the other man had a point. He was letting himself get too worked-up and all that was going to do was make him display his weaknesses even more. It would not help him at all.

So, after Wriggle had gone, he took a deep breath in the effort to calm down and started to follow Diarmuid. Quietly, of course.]

[Diarmuid remains quiet as they walk. He is thankful that Edgeworth has taken his hint and isn't talking. Hopefully, his roommate is taking the time to calm himself down and sort out his thoughts just as Diarmuid is. In fact, it is only once they arrive at the stairs does he break the silence. He pauses, turns to Edgeworth, and holds out the box.]

I will need you to carry this while I carry you. Is that okay?

[That isn't the question he really wants to ask. What he really wants to ask is if the man is okay now, but it's also worried about his words upsetting Edgeworth again.]

...Fine. [And that is all he says as he takes the box. He just wants to get the whole scenario over with, if his exhausted expression is of any indication.]

[Diarmuid picks up on Edgeworth's exhaustion, so instead of lengthening things with conversation, as soon as Edgeworth has the box, he gathers the man into his arms.]

For what I am worth, I am sorry for all of this.

[Without waiting for a response, he takes off up the stairs.]

[Edgeworth tries not to look too horrified as he is picked up like that - not only does it make him feel really undignified but he is just not used to physical contact beyond a simple handshake.

However, the next shock is when Diarmuid immediately starts heading upstairs.

Holy shi-

Hopefully, his cravat won't fly off.]

[Diarmuid doesn't respond to Edgeworth's obvious tension right away, though it is clear in the man's body language that he is startled by the speed. Instead, he is focused on leaping over a couple of ChuChus that are lurking at the bottom of the next flight of stairs.

He can't blame the man for being startled. After all, they have already cleared several floors and it's only been a few seconds.

However, once they are passed the monsters, Diarmuid slows slightly.]

Are you all right? Do I need to slow down?

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f

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Sorry this is late.

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Okay, I guess it's just Miles and Dia from now on. XD

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