Will you or won't you

[attheclocktower]

Characters: Anybody and everybody
Setting: Floor 1, before noon
Summary: Riki's offered a way to help keep the Tower powered a little longer. Obviously this is going to cause a lot of discussion and debate so let's CONSOLIDATE
Warnings: Nothing as of yet. Possibly eventually, so keep an eye on subject lines and I 'll try to change to reflect any developments

[No doubt Riki's announcement would be polarizing, but the instructions themselves were clear: Floor 1 at noon if you want to help out. And if you want to meet people, try to talk them in or out of it? Or hell, maybe even just talk about the revelation on who is behind those explosions? Well, this is as good a place as any for that too.

Just remember to be careful near the staircase]

Comments

[fionnuisce]

[Waver was not happy. This was a hell of a risk and he knew it, but what choice did they realistically have? Riki seemed reasonable although maybe not entirely trustworthy, and it was this or have one nasty rush order put on their already creeping deadline.]

[...'Deadline', he mentally noted, was probably an ominous term for it.]

[Regardless, he stood with his back to a wall on floor one without the usual sunglasses on his head and smoking like a chimney. Though the lecturer seemed calm enough, the deeply-set frown was a hint he was very, very displeased with the matter at hand.]

[oathshackledbird]

[The one who is responsible for those usual sunglasses not being in their usual spot walks up to Waver and looks at him over their rims. Diarmuid was able to summon his armor this morning which means his powers are finally starting to come back, and he's not taking any risks with his love spot being the next thing to come back to full power.]

It's too convenient it's Jason, don't you think?

[attheclocktower]

[For Xion there was no option. None that she felt comfortable contemplating, anyway. She didn't want to die for real. She didn't want to go home and wander alone forever, not after the friends and family she's made here. She wants to stay here, make this place safe to live in. Or maybe follow Reno or Shion to their world, or maybe even look for a world they can all live in together.

Regardless, in the end it amounts to the same thing: if the Tower runs out of power, none of that will happen, will even be able to happen. So she's going.

She's at the first floor pretty early, holding a half-made sweater in her hand. She's trying to hide how her hands are shaking, very slightly, but regardless, she needs something for her hands to do. She'll be too restless otherwise.]

[bloodyashes]

[It won't be too long before she has company; even if it's unusually crowded this morning, and he doesn't intend to go, Asch is still there for his usual routine.

He doesn't ask if she's going. He just hands her a carefully folded napkin containing a sandwich a little more substantial than the vegetable based fare the kitchen is serving.]

Keep your strength up, at least.

[terra_nullius]

[Look who's kicking around! He seems more content to lean against walls and listen to people rather than voice opinions though. He wanders in and out, curious as to what people think of these developments.]

[regenleif]

[Capell sees him and pauses before going over. He's a bit wary since there last conversation hadn't ended well. But if the man was still annoyed at him then Capell could retreat easily, there were plenty of others here.

A lot of people here, which Capell had expected, it was a big thing. He didn't really want to die, though since he had given his life already seemed very hypocritical of him. But more he did not want to die before he had to, he believed those who said there was a way to restore the worlds. If he could do that... Then it would be worth it] Are you going to volunteer? [It's as good an opening as any]

[gradosfinest]

[This was bad. No two ways around it, their options were either taking a massive (to her) gamble on what Riki had proposed or...

Well, everyone dies for real. Or worse.

Part of her feels like she should be first in line to volunteer for this, to take the risk for the sake of others. And honestly? Part of her is seriously considering it, hence her being here. But there's more to it than that, the rational part of her knows full well if they all go it isn't going to leave many people ready to act in the event something goes wrong. If everyone else seems to be going, then it only makes sense for her to stay and be ready to act.

Because honestly, nothing ever goes right.

So to figure out a course of action, she needs to see how many people are going, and more importantly how many people out of the allies she knows she can trust are going. It's simply too risky for everyone to go. That's why she's here, standing over by some random unimportant table in full armor, slowly looking over the people that seem to be gathering. Though she's doing her best to appear outwardly calm, the way her fingers keep drumming anxiously along the table itself is a likely giveaway that she's not as collected as she's trying to pretend she is.]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku's decision had been easy. He might not care about dying, and though the idea of wandering his dead world for eternity was an awful one, it was a punishment he probably deserved. But the others didn't. Most people here did not deserve to die.

So he had came, and was not surprised at the amount of people, though he could tell through what he could hear that a lot of people hadn't decided what to do yet.

He saw Amelia, the girl who had helped fight Diarmuid only a week or so before. He made his way over. She seemed young, but older than he had been when he had joined the army. "What are you thinking?"

[midgarhorizon]

[Reno is there as well, looking on, and leaning against a wall. He's wearing his Raven uniform today, minus headgear. In fact, he looks ready for a war, but given what's been going on lately it's understandable.

Conspicuously absent that first day, and recovering the next, it hadn't taken long for him to get caught up once he was up and about, and by then it was too late.

He isn't happy it's plain to see, although the lingering wounds on his body from the last month seem to be gone.]

[gradosfinest]

[The second Amelia spots Reno she's up on her feet and walking across the room towards him. If nothing else, maybe bouncing some thoughts off of him will help them figure out some kind of course of action beyond "sit here and pray". He's not the only one who looks dressed for war either.

Then again, Amelia always looks dressed for war so this isn't really saying much, it'd probably be weirder if she weren't wearing her armor and walking around as armed to the teeth as ever. She doesn't waste time with formalities when she reaches him either.]

What a wonderful start to the day. [Maybe it's just the people she's been hanging around, but she's getting a bit better at the whole sarcasm thing.]

[megazero_to_superhero]

[For once, David's answering the call, arriving at the gathering of other Tower inmates, his powered armor's thrusters gently pulsing as he hovers there in mid-air ... looking for all the world like the others who are slouching or leaning against a wall, yet he's supported only by the power of his flight system.]

[David's inability to chip in and do his bit as a hero ought has been eating at him with every passing month. Now, however, they faced a crisis which threatened all the residents of the tower, one that would cut short any effort to restore their worlds—and if he can't fight for the cause, this is at least a different kind of sacrifice he can make for the common good.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Reno spots the strange suit flying before he really recognizes what it is- a guy in armor. That's kind of cool armor...]

Haven't seen you around before.

[crouching_sin]

[Naoya doesn't really hesitate when he hears what needs to be done. He's no hero, but he does have people he wants to protect, and if possible keep them from doing stupid things.]

[... Besides, much as Riki claims it won't kill them or do anything to their souls, he half wishes it would. If there's any way to end his curse, it's probably here, after all, where the soul is so vulnerable.]

[alephbet]

You're signing up too?

[Aleph and Naoya haven't talked recently, but Naoya's not somebody you just forget. Aleph approaches him as soon as he spots him.]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Normally, Ira would still be wearing the coat as he normally did. Light, he'd likely had not even come at all. This time however, he was ready. Whether it was actually going down there to help or simply share in the usual hatred against morally ambiguous scientists (meaning: Jason) was anyone's guess. It may even be both!

Whichever reason, it's clear that he is not happy (as usual). There were a lot of risks involved, sure, but he's not the kind to back down from something that spells out trouble. It's just who he is, and Riki didn't seem that bad. Besides, time was ticking.

So here he is, looking around for anyone remotely familiar, partly wondering just how many are going down and who he has to try and dissuade knows is headed down. Besides, whatever affects had to be better than reorganizing dolls all day....right?]

[attheclocktower]

[Seeing Ira is enough to make Xion put down her sewing. She pushes herself up from the table, making her way over to where he's standing. She casts a brief glance around - Ganon and any of his lot don't seem to be anywhere nearby.

She wonders at this point if she'd care if he was, with as much at stake as there is]

Hey, I- er... Takeshi.

[She's still getting used to the code name he's told her to use.

She's also totally willing to hug him if he'll let her, though she can understand being too tense to at the moment.]

[myblueskies]

The explosions were becoming almost normal, but Romeo was still surprised when he heard Riki talking to them. The power running out would be bad, because they weren't ready and he knew that even though they had managed to make a new collar fluid they didn't know how to free their souls yet.

So at the idea that he could help Romeo went to the first floor, being very careful on the staircases. He looked around, glad that there were so many people who also wanted to help mister Riki. Even though it was dangerous. Because it would be very dangerous, especially if mister Jason had set off the explosions, he might not want them to fix the tower.

He stood amongst everyone, looking determined.

[provenworth]

[It had taken her a few hours to make the decision to at least go down to Floor one after hearing Riki's message, but eventually she found herself there. Looking at those who were willing to go so far to help keep the Tower going. Or fall into a trap. It was really hard to tell which it was.

While scanning the group, eyes pick up the smaller figure of Romeo. His presence here, after their last little conversation, wasn't unexpected. It didn't mean she didn't feel a bit of a heartbreak either.]

I admire your eagerness to help the people within the Tower, but even this?

[provenworth]

[This. This is Elena's unamused face. Because there were too many unknown variables with this whole scenario and that did not sit well with her. On the other hand, having their countdown until total shutdown cut in half - at the very minimum? That couldn't be allowed either.

Elena has almost made up her mind, still bouncing between the pros and cons of the situation, watching the mingling group in quiet contemplation. Noting who else had come to either assist or persuade those to not.]

[midgarhorizon]

Elena, there you are. I need your help.

[Reno's wearing the Raven uniform sans headgear, but he's got it decked out like he expects trouble, so it's not terribly unusual.]

Help me convince the kids to not go.

[undroppedeaves]

Sam looked around at all the people here. It seemed a lot of people had decided to help Riki out. Sam was a bit unsure about it all, he wasn't sure how they were supposed to give energy to this place, but it sure sounded better than the alternatives.

He stood in the cafeteria looking around, it seemed like there was a lot of people here, though some of them didn't look too happy.

He wondered if they were all planning to volunteer, or if some thought it was a bad idea.

[megazero_to_superhero]

Count this guy over near where Sam is hanging out as one of the ones who doesn't look all that happy, but determined all the same.

The man in question looks fairly short for a human, himself—the only way he's meeting the eyes of the people of more average height gathered here is from the way his powered armor's flight suit is keeping him aloft a good foot or half in the air. In fact, it's Sam's similarity in this regard that catches his attention—not too many short people around who look more like miniature adults rather than kids.

"Heh, an' here I was thinkin' I was da only shortie in dis tower," he calls out to Sam in an effort to strike up a conversation.

[heavenscorpse]

[For many, this was a difficult choice. For V/V, it was easy.

She didn't want everyone to die. Therefore, she would do what she could. Even if it killed her, or there was only the chance of it working - she would at least try.

V/V leaned against one of the cafeteria's walls, humming to herself and looking oddly content.]

[slightlyoblivious]

V/V-chan?

[Yukiko waves, approaching with a little bit of a smile. She's nervous, but the more people she sees doing this, the less nervous she gets.]

I see you're going through with it, too. Are you - I guess I can't ask if you're going to be okay until it's over, can I?

[alephbet]

[What it came down to for Aleph, in the end, was that their end had to be averted. He'd do whatever it took to keep them alive. Put himself under Riki's care? He'd put himself under Ruana's care if he thought it would work.

Aleph sat at one of the tables, not armored for once in his life. He figured it would make it harder to hook him up.]

[technologic]

[And after he's been sitting for a while, one certain redhead goes to stand by his seat, giving him a very unimpressed look as her arms cross in front of her chest.]

I really hope you're not doing this too.

[bashfulshifter]

[That most recent series of explosions had once again driven Rick back into his room, but now that the opportunity has presented itself, there is no doubt in his mind what he needs to do. Every moment they have left here is precious--necessary, even--at least to everyone else. Even without Riki's assurances that his soul wouldn't be mangled during this process, Rick would have volunteered. It almost would have been better that way.]

[The blonde man settles near the elevator, hunched against the wall and wrapped in several blankets to keep warm while he waits. He does not engage anyone.]

[alephbet]

Hey.

[Aleph sits down near him.]

I'd try to convince you out of it but I guess that'd be insulting. You've got your reasons.

[doasisay]

[ something inside Lelouch knew that this was something that needed to be done. not for himself...but for his brother. even for Suzaku who he wasn't sure if they were even friends or not.

doinh something like this would probably end his own life. it was a selfish act to agree to give his own life up for power, but a part of him knew that it was the right thing to do. it was the right thing, even if he hadn't done anything horrible in his life (that he knew of). it was vital to keep Suzaku and Rolo here as long as possible so that they wouldn't have to go back home...alone.

Lelouch stood nearby in a crowd of people, his face was very serious as he stood to think ]

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku saw Lelouch, and was torn between being worried that he was planning to volunteer. But also proud that he would, that even with Charles' Geass affecting him, he would still volunteer to do something like this.

He made his way over] Lelouch.

[slightlyoblivious]

[Yukiko's mind is made up about this, but she's still nervous. It doesn't help that she got her collar fluid changed that morning. She could have waited, she knows that, but it was a case of 'the sooner the better', in terms of getting her real powers back.

Still...was this a bad idea, doing both things at the same time? It's too late to go back on the collar fluid decision, though.

She can be found pacing a little bit, near the elevator doors.]

[no_longer_a_king]

[Arturia would think it would be no less a bad idea than those having already switched over to the fluid, but that was a matter for another day. For now?

She's approaching the black-haired girl she had seen on the Network, curious as to why she's here.

Well, Arturia has an idea why, but she also wants to check in that she's doing well after they last spoke to one another.]

Ah, so you are going down as well?

[stitchedupbodyguard]

[Veronica was here for a reason. The explosions and torture had gone on for long enough, and she was sick of Jason in every possible way.

If this could help everyone, then she'd do it. It was a clear certainty that bodyguards tended to have.

Either way, she leans back against a wall near the elevator, watching silently as others walked past her.]

[bowandblade]

[On his way down towards the cafeteria, Archer notices the girl near the elevator. He lingers, studying her closely, thoughtfully. It takes him a moment to recall where he remembers seeing her from.]

Ah. You were one of those who volunteered to fight against Jason.

[bowandblade]

[Of course he had heard Riki's announcement. Did he care? Not in such a way that he would volunteer himself; there would be many others who would throw themselves forward at the idea of maintaining the tower, and someone would have to stand by and watch the results.

For now, he was just on the first floor to look for food. Hmph.

But the information gleaned from Riki and the previous happenings concerning the explosions left him thoughtful, and Archer eyes the number of people on the floor with a faint frown.

He wished Shinji was around so they could grouse together.]

[heavenscorpse]

[V/V approaches him as soon as she spots him.]

I didn't think you would come down to volunteer.

[Who would be down here for food? That would be silly.]

[stop_calling_me_zelda]

[There's no choice. Not to her mind. Tetra's grown up a lot here in the tower. Two years ago, she would have told Riki (any of the administrators really) to go swim with the sharks but now...

People in the tower will die otherwise or get stuck on their dead worlds. And that was a fate worse than death in her mind. And she is learning. Learning what kind of person she really is, about her heritage and how she needs to behave. This seems like the right thing to do, both as a person and as someone who would one day lead an entire kingdom. This seems like something Zelda would do.

And she fully expects to get an earful for it.

So she wakes up early and sneaks quietly out of the room, the room she shares with Zelda now, and heads downstairs. She makes sure to go early enough that she can eat and think but she won't change her mind. Especially as the thoughts of Aryll come to mind and of her crew and of Link's grandma.

This is the right thing to do.]

[undroppedeaves]

So you're going down too, miss Tetra? [Sam spots her quite easily and comes to her side. She's very young to be doing something like this, but she's young to be here and she never had any choice about that.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[There's no way Ryoji wasn't going to help. After what had taken place not too long ago, he needed some way to prove he was stronger, and that he could still be a good person in some way. He needed to hope that his contribution would provide something to the rest of the Tower, and that at least a few people would appreciate it. He has to make up for what he put his friends through, and protect them from any extra harm.

So here he is, searching the room for anyone he knows. He won't try to convince anyone to change their mind... it is their choice alone to make, but he can't claim that he won't be a little worried.]

[heavenscorpse]

Hi, Ryoji.

[One person he knows is sitting at a table not too far from him.]

You too?

[falseidentity]

[Kachessa had been quiet lately, mostly just sticking to her room or the cafeteria. But with this announcement... No. She can't just sit back. She has nothing left to lose, really. So she is entirely quiet as she sits on the ground, trying to just remain calm.

...Even if this kills her, well...]

[heavenscorpse]

[V/V takes a seat beside her.]

Are you alright? Right now, I mean.

[cursedchosen]

[Zelos is leaning against one of the back walls with his arms crossed. He looks deep in thought, but still at least a little approachable, even if he did look more downtrodden than his usual self.]

[The truth of the matter was that this reeked of the self-sacrificing Chosen bullshit that he'd been stuck with his entire life. It was supposed to be for the good of everyone, they said, but all it had really done was keep that psychotic half-elf's power unchecked while he continued to look for something long gone. It certainly hadn't helped him, and it hadn't helped his mother or Seles, either.]

[The angel transformation was friggin' painful, too, even going through the lite version. All in all, it didn't sound too different than what they were asking of them now.]

[But he was still going to do it. He didn't care about appearing noble or putting his life on the line for others overmuch, but if he was going to die anyway, he'd at least give the middle finger to the admins one last time.]

[puppy_lancer]

Hey, haven't seen you for a while.

[Lancer smiles and waves, seeming as casual as ever.]

Guess our contest really came at a bad time, didn't it? I've been too busy with things to actually focus on it. It's a shame.

[warriorscribe]

*With Enoch, there is no question. He's doing this. He had, from the moment he felt it was safe to do so, stepped forward and taken responsibility for the shock of the glamour failure, and for putting the deadline on them. If something was going to happen to make that time run out faster, it was equally his responsibility to get that time back so they, the tower, can do as they need and get out of here.

So he stands with his head high, watching the elevator doors and waiting for Riki's arrival. Despite his lack of offering any words, he won't ignore those of others.*

[notagiraffe]

[Taiki saw him through the crowd and made his way to his side. He was still too nervous to actually start conversations but he reached out to take Enoch's hand, giving him a tiny nervous smile as he did so.]

[evokingfool]

[Was Minato here because he's volunteering or not? It's hard to tell from his expression, calm and carefully stoic, as he entered the floor and glance around at the people gathered here.

And for anyone he knew and would step up to help.

He knew it's important to keep the tower's power running, for their continued existence until they win their wager against Ruana. With his own power, he could help prevent cutting the deadline short. But on the other hand, what about everyone else, those who won't help out...?]

(OOC: Minato's not signed up for it, so go and talk him out of it.)

[miseris_socios]

[There's a hand tugging at the back of Minato's clothes, attempting to drag him back.]

Oh no you don't. You don't get to be the stupid hero this time.

[thirtybits]

[There's some hesitation from Judas as he enters the floor, but really, not as much as there may be for others. It seems the only option is to volunteer. If he could, he would tell them to just drain him entirely, but he knows that wouldn't fly. The only reason for hesitation is wondering if the intentions are truly good ones. Would Riki lie to them?

For that reason alone he hangs back, considering.]

[culbutiri]

[Nesir frowned as she saw Judas and went over to stand near him.] You do no be thinking of going do you be being? [She knew he probably was, it was the sort of thing he would do]