Locked Rooms (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
guillotineroom) wrote2022-11-01 10:48 pm
guillotineroom) wrote2022-11-01 10:48 pm
[elevator] [cerberus]
[ When you open your eyes again the first thing that you, and your teammates, may notice is that you are confined within an iron cage, rectangle in shape. Further inspection will reveal that outside of the cage is a large structure of sorts, reaching far above you. It kind of looks like an unfinished clock tower, really... there are spots that look finished and bolted tightly, and others that look like they had been left once and the work never thought of again.
Also, it's pretty chilly. You might get to notice that.
It's foggy and windy—the kind of wind that howls and roars, jostling your cage against the tall shaft, and every so often you feel as though you might have had the ghost of a raindrop on you. The tower-like build creaks horribly ominously in the wind, and you can see the rusted metals swaying slightly. But if you decide to look around...
Flapping above you (and not helping with the wind) is a harpy-like creature, iron chains wrapped around their talons. Though, maybe it's more like a lion? The chains are bolted to the top of your cage. There are also little indicators on the structure, the same distance apart, that seem to be declaring different levels or heights. They look horribly unhappy to be here, but they're also impressive at ignoring any call you might have for them.
There's a door to the cage, but it won't open, even if it's just a simple-looking locking mechanism. If you peer out, it's too foggy on the ground to make out very much, but you can make out nine other, tower-like structures with similarly flapping harpies. Each one, including your own, has an emblazoned emblem of every team's patron monster, so that you can see where everyone is—it's just difficult to make out exactly who may be in each one. Even more difficult to try and communicate like this.
Attached to the door is an aged metal panel with a screen and four buttons; two to choose between the team names that appear on the dark green and black screen, and two to choose whether you wish for that team to go up or down.
After a moment, a little speaker in the corner starts playing an incredibly bad quality version of this.]
Also, it's pretty chilly. You might get to notice that.
It's foggy and windy—the kind of wind that howls and roars, jostling your cage against the tall shaft, and every so often you feel as though you might have had the ghost of a raindrop on you. The tower-like build creaks horribly ominously in the wind, and you can see the rusted metals swaying slightly. But if you decide to look around...
Flapping above you (and not helping with the wind) is a harpy-like creature, iron chains wrapped around their talons. Though, maybe it's more like a lion? The chains are bolted to the top of your cage. There are also little indicators on the structure, the same distance apart, that seem to be declaring different levels or heights. They look horribly unhappy to be here, but they're also impressive at ignoring any call you might have for them.
There's a door to the cage, but it won't open, even if it's just a simple-looking locking mechanism. If you peer out, it's too foggy on the ground to make out very much, but you can make out nine other, tower-like structures with similarly flapping harpies. Each one, including your own, has an emblazoned emblem of every team's patron monster, so that you can see where everyone is—it's just difficult to make out exactly who may be in each one. Even more difficult to try and communicate like this.
Attached to the door is an aged metal panel with a screen and four buttons; two to choose between the team names that appear on the dark green and black screen, and two to choose whether you wish for that team to go up or down.
After a moment, a little speaker in the corner starts playing an incredibly bad quality version of this.]
no subject
[He crosses his arms tightly, tails lashing in the air, whipping at one of the cage bars.]
. . . We'll put it to a vote. But this is a foolish gamble. Think about what you're saying. Say our vote is allocated to the team that's in the most danger, as punishment for our indecision. That would be worth not having had to make a choice?
no subject
But that's the only other suggestion I have.
no subject
[He points at her, jaw tight, emotions beginning to get away from him—]
Stop treating your life so casually! You really think we'd all be all right with you trading your life away like that!
NOT HERE (or here idc)
no subject
no subject
no subject
[ But she's more confused than upset at his accusation, tilting her head. After a moment, she gentles her tone. ]
...it's not that I think you'd be okay with it, but--you asked if I was ready to face the consequences. And I am. I've been gambling with that for years.
no subject
[HE IS NOT LESS MAD.]
She doesn't need to manipulate us with fear like some demagogue. She literally has the power to enforce her rules. She will use it!
no subject
[ She's still gentle in the face of his anger. ]
In the end, it was my suggestion. So I'm willing to take responsibility for the consequences, if enough people want to try it. But I don't think I'd be satisfied without at least opening the option. If we don't, we don't... but I wanted to say that's something I want to try.
no subject
[He turns and walks away to the other . . . side of the cage . . . that's going to work out well, surely. He can have a corner to himself! Sumikko Gurashi!!]
no subject