[Heart Game]

[aberdevine]

(♫)

For a moment, there is nothingness. The black void is all-pervasive. Perhaps more worrying, though, is the fact that you seem to be unable to move. It's less a sensation of restraint than it is the horrifying sensation that your own body has gone numb and refuses to obey you.

But then there's a voice, speaking to you. "Remember," it says with a sort of vicious glee, "a bird can only fly within its cage."

And the world explodes into light and color, and you can move.

((NOTE: your scissors remain scissors, but your tape has become an emerald-green ribbon.))

Comments

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

... well.

Okay.

That probably looks pretty amazing.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

[props them so they curl upwards on the pillow or whatever that thing his head is in, steps back, nods in satisfaction yes good]

[turns to check out the video monitor]

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

It's currently turned off, but there are four buttons under it.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

[what do the buttons look like? IS THERE A RED ONE]

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

They're white and sleek. There are no buttons that proclaim SELF-DESTRUCT, DO NOT TOUCH, red or otherwise.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

[no specific pattern or layout?]

[hits the second button at random if so]

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

Just four buttons in a row.

The video screen doesn't turn on, but you get the strong impression that you're watching something anyway. You hear a voice in your head, and are immediately assaulted with a sense of empty despair.

What's the point?

It doesn't matter if I live or die.

Nothing matters.

Maybe I'll just give up.

Yes. I should just...

...

And then a voice comes from the screen, amused and full of dark promise. "Hey, young master. Are you just gonna die like this?"

There's a sensation of bright light, and--

Whatever it was you were viewing switches off.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

Hmm...

[pushes the fourth button]

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

The video screen doesn't turn on, but you get the strong impression that you're watching something anyway. You feel... overwhelmed and claustrophobic. Full of deep anguish and betrayal. Humiliation. Self-hatred. It's hard to breathe, and your chest hurts.

"Hey, Hiwa-kun. It was fun there, wasn't it? You had a kind family and friends, and more than anything, you were free. Your body and heart weren't tied down by Sensai.

Even without you, that world will keep going. It's a world shared by countless users, after all. But unlike reality, since it's data, after all... root users can do just a little 'support.' How about it? Do you want a piece of that power?"

There's a stinging sensation around your left eye, and you miss what the voice says next. But it continues.

"I'm sure it's fun for those 'in the know' to live peacefully in that world too, right?

Even now that you know everything, you still love it more than reality, don't you?"

You finally manage to speak. "... if I do that... I can bring the dead back to life?"

The voice laughs. "You really are a pathetic person, aren't you?"

It doesn't matter, though. If you can protect the Amatsuki... if you can protect your friends and family... it doesn't matter that they're not "real." It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter that you've only ever found happiness and love in virtual reality.

The memory switches off.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

Your life is depressing.

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[aberdevine]

No, really?

Re: >> LOGIN: M͡ÍD̵̨͠Ò̶R̸̷͝I

[forthefonofit]

[first button it is, how depressing is it]