ARE YA READY?

[notreadyatall]

[Even with all the commotion, it seems as though a single question has hung over the crowd. Exactly who is responsible for this kidnapping? That single question eventually leads the group to the portrait gallery, where each guest files in and packs the room. Slowly but surely, a strange presence can be felt. The portraits almost look like they’re stretching, and it seems as though they’re moving on their own...

After a few tense moments in complete silent darkness, the lights dim.

You realize there’s a man here. One who wasn’t with you when you came in.

He’s...only barely passing for human. It seems as though he’s falling apart, chunks of skin and bone hanging from his face. His clothes hang from his lanky frame in the same fashion. When he moves about, he audibly clicks and clacks, dragging his leg across the ground in obvious pain.

He smirks, cheekbone exposed, before speaking.]

Au enchanté, Foolish Mortals. A friendly hello from Dr. Facilier, and welcome to Phantom Manor. This home is one steeped in tales of bloodlust, murder and maiming. We’ve brought you here to this house on a haunted hill to continue this tradition, and to appease the terrifying spirit that still lingers here today. The Phantom.

[He smirks, adjusting his hat as he speaks. His shadow moves behind him, disconnected.]

Puttin’ it plainly, friends...you’re here for a blood ritual. Y’all are gonna be stayin’ here for the rest of your lives, unless you manage to kill someone and get away without bein’ caught. Surely some of ya are smart enough to do that.

‘Course, you don’t wanna do it, feel free to stay here for the rest of your horrible lives. But I’ll be sure to make them as miserable as possible till y’all comply.

...Questions?

Comments

[upgradeit]

[He was going with "experimental facility" up until this moment, what with the talking racoon and all, but uh. No. No, this really seems more "reality tv show."]

. . . So what's the grand prize if we win?

[notreadyatall]

Depends. What are you feelin, kiddo?

[upgradeit]

[What he really wants is his brother back, but you know. That's impossible so:]

An unlimited supply of titanium alloys and a Calpico.

[notreadyatall]

Sold.

[upgradeit]

Are there rules to this game or . . .? [What's the catch, weird zombie hologram man.] Because it's not much of a game if there's no rules.

[notreadyatall]

Don’t get caught. Don’t leave clues behind. Be thorough.

[upgradeit]

Thaaaaaaat seems suspiciously simple.

[notreadyatall]

Little bit. Objections?

[upgradeit]

If I'm trying not to get caught and I'm trying not to leave evidence behind, how would you know I won? Does your surveillance of us count as being "caught"?

[Because that seems like the kind of shady shit that comes from agreeing to kill a guy.]

[notreadyatall]

I'm not a participant. Only the 30 others in this room whose names and pictures are listed on the board count for that rule.

[pinkflip]

What are you- Hiro, you can't just kill someone 'cause a freaky zombie-man told you to!

[ this is where we are today ]

[tanukey]

Yeah, jeez, learn to haggle, kid!

[pinkflip]

That is SO not what I meant.

[tanukey]

It's an important professional skill!

[pinkflip]

No one should haggle about murder from a zombie! ...I- you're a screaming raccoon.

[tanukey]

Hey! Hey. I understand you bald-bodies are havin' a real frickin' difficult time with all this, crap, so you get ONE warning.

I. Am. Not. A. RACCOON. Got it?

[upgradeit]

Well, I kind of expected him to say no.

[He literally thought of the most unreasonable thing to ask for, but man. Now he's wondering if he should have asked for his brother back.

. . . On second thought, looking at this zombie motherfucker, maybe not.]

[tanukey]

Least that means he's desperate. Y'could probably try pushing a little, see if he'll go for more.

[upgradeit]

[There's a Hamada brother with morals and shit? But that brother isn't Hiro.]

It's fine, this is probably all virtual anyway.

[Wrong murdergame, sweetie.]

[pinkflip]

You can't just assume that, everything here is mondo-weird! Just 'cause you think something's not real doesn't mean it won't have consequences!

[upgradeit]

Uh, of course there's consequences? But consequences don't matter until they happen.

[Hiro is a jaded 14 year old who somehow manufactured hundreds of thousands of microbots . . . probably funded with money won from illegal bot fighting. So you know. He's a very firm believer in "just worry about consequences afterward."]

[pinkflip]

And they happen because of things you do. [ Honestly she sounds more patient than she should be. ] If you're careful, you could prevent something from happening that could hurt someone else...or hurt you, even if this is...that fancy new virtual thingy.

[upgradeit]

The last time I was careful, someone died sooooooo . . . [BIG SHRUG.] It's not really worth it, in my opinion.

[Ah, yes. Remember that (1) time Hiro did something that was sensible and his brother immediately died? Haha. Not repeating that mistake!!!]

[not_over_yet]

Not much for planning ahead, I take it.

[upgradeit]

That was always Tadashi's thing, not mine.

[What a nerd. Who runs diagnostics???? That shit takes forever why would you need to make sure your janky prototype robot doesn't immediately malfunction and break a window?]