everyone's having a good time

[laserguy]

Who: Scott Summers and various
Where: Aldrip
What: Some closed prompts for the event. A few open prompts featuring the Gnosia questionnaire, direct aftermath of Phoenix!Scott killing Ryoji, and a little time after where Scott's having a Time back at his house.
Warnings: Some descriptions of death and burning. PTSD??


If you wanna plot something out, please hit me up at currykirby.

Comments

open; gnosia questionnaire

[laserguy]

[Dude, the last thing he wants to do is answer some stupid questionnaire in his pajamas, but here he is, dressed in a plain shirt and sleep shorts while staring at the screen in front of him. Getting a small look at the person that's across from him, Scott can only hope that they're just as grumpy as him or at least in a similar state. Focusing on that feeling is at least better than focusing on that anxiety that's gripped him as he stares at the questions, a small frown tugging at the corner of his mouth.

All this is really fucking personal.

Normally, he'd shove his hands in the pockets of his jacket, but he can't, because pajamas. So, Scott can only mentally count to ten before sighing, something in him finally relenting as he focuses on the person trapped in this game with him.]

Let's just get this over with so I don't freeze out here.

[He'll even answer the first question if needed.]

[solitarysoul]

[Levi is, in fact, very grumpy. He was doing great hiding away in his apartment and keeping safe from whatever the fuck was going on outside. But the city or the council or whatever wrote that message on the tablets clearly had other plans. He's not in pajamas or anything, but he's got no shoes on. (And is unarmed, which he's also very annoyed about.)

He sighs and rolls his eyes.]

Yeah. Maybe we can make this quick.

D-do, um, do you want me to go first?

[laserguy]

[Well, at least he's stuck with someone he knows. Probably a good thing?? Unless Levi is infected, which. Uh. Bad. At least he still has a heal on him just in case something goes south.

...He'll just hope that he doesn't have his instant kill attack in return. Clearly the plan is to heal before he has a chance to do that. Great plan.]

Yeah, sure. If you're good with that man.

[First, this quiz thing. Suddenly, the chill of the outside air doesn't really feel like much. Probably helps that it's summer anyway.]

[solitarysoul]

I...uh, I guess we need to do it before they'll let us out so it doesn't really matter if we're good with it or not.

[He sighs and turns his attention to the screen. 01. DO YOU LIKE HURTING PEOPLE?]

No. I don't.

[laserguy]

[It's official, this is the worst icebreaker ever. He's going to take back all his complaining whenever he had to do it in high school. Whatever happened to talking about your favorite movie or band?? Pushing away those thoughts, however, Scott refocuses, inhaling lightly as he steadies his gaze on the questions and the other teen that's across from him.

Easy answer, probably??]

I don't like hurting people either.

[...Nothing's happened yet, so guess they can continue? No point in stopping yet and best to get this over with. Then there's the next question, who hurt you the most and wow. Okay.] I don't know, Jerry?

[It flashes red. .....It's fine.]

[solitarysoul]

[Flashing red was odd, but he has no problem answering this question.]

Rher.

[The question changes again, but Levi hesitates. 03. WHAT ARE YOU MOST AFRAID OF?]

Um...

[He knows the answer to that, but he's not sure about answering it in front of other people. Scott didn't seem like the type to exploit a weakness, but still...maybe it will time out.]

[laserguy]

[Rher? Name isn't familiar, but Scott isn't going to ask for more details. They're already engaging in something that's enough on its own. Levi doesn't need his extra commentary... especially since he seems to be struggling with the next question. Scott stays quiet for a few seconds, maybe hoping along with the other teen that the question will time out.

It probably won't.]

...Want me to answer this one first?

[He offers with a semi-serious look, like he's trying to lead. Or lend some stability or strength. Maybe Levi doesn't really need it, but Scott feels better doing this anyway. Even in pajamas.]

[garbagecanned]

[bro...

he's obviously disheveled and half awake. he's also in his pajamas, and his hair is sticking up everywhere, and he rubs his eyes.]

Dude... why did they wake me up from a perfectly good sleep?

[but he does recognize the voice before he sees the face through the screen. it's Scott... !

which is a blessing and a curse. because that thing that's coiled up inside him is ready to lash out, but he's still. trying to stifle it. he doesn't want to hurt Scott, or anybody else.]

Let's do this.

[laserguy]

[At least Yosuke is suffering just like him, both of them being brought out here in their pajamas. Just for that, he's a little less annoyed, and okay, it is kind of nice to see a familiar friendly face. Yeah yeah, threat of gnosia and everything, but honestly it's kind of hard to imagine Yosuke being infected. He's not fully ruling it out because this place is sort of fucked like that, but he finds it a little easier still to loosen up. Release some of that anxiety in his chest.]

Yeah, we'll get through this.

[He can trust Yosuke to get through with this with him, right?]

I feel like I can answer for the both of us regarding this first question.

['Do you like hurting people?']

No, of course not.

[...Although, what is this questionnaire anyway? Besides being the world's worst icebreaker?? Anyone can lie on these things, right?]

[garbagecanned]

[... yeah, he sure can trust Yosuke to get through this.

Yosuke blinks at the question, the other voice inside his head curling up and asking him do you? do you like hurting people?]

Yeah, no. Not unless they've hurt one of my friends.

[at least that's the truth, and it satisfies the voice in his head.]

[laserguy]

Yeah, obviously. [Scott's not surprised to hear that answer, sounds very much like Yosuke. After all, they talked about kicking Mikey's ass for a while, before he came back all Buddha like and shit. What, he doesn't know how else to describe it! He wonders if they managed to talk yet, but not the time right now.]

Heh, maybe this will actually be a breeze.

[He doesn't fully believe it, especially as he sets his eyes on the next question: 'Who hurt you the most?' Is it Mikey?? Dazai? Kotone--]

Jerry, obviously.

[And the screen flashes red. Well fuck you too. Look, he really doesn't want to talk more about his actual answer to this.]

[garbagecanned]

[... there's a long silence as Yosuke just stares. there's a whole list of people he could bring up, honestly.]

Here or at home? That's not really specific.

[who would he even say to that... he doesn't even know.]

Looks like you lied, anyway.

[laserguy]

[Scott's jaw clenches, somewhat annoyed at Yosuke for pointing that out, but he's mostly just irritated at the stupid screen for calling him out. How does it know anyway?? Aldrip really sucks sometimes-- well, this crap is much the cherry on top of the gnosia shit sundae.]

Yeah, so? Does it matter if we lie through some of these stupid questions?

[Granted, he's not sure what will happen if they lie too much. Hopefully it isn't something too horrific, but Scott still doesn't feel like talking about the people that actually hurt him. That's in the past, he doesn't want to bring up stupid memories, because he's dealt with it a long time ago now.]

[melnik]

[ Discerning what is a dream and what is the waking world is becoming more difficult as the days like this pass. Yet Miller has drifted between the two with uncharacteristic ease and coming to in what seems like an outdoor interrogation chamber would fit the bill as well if it weren't for the fact that Scott is standing there across from him looking completely out of place. He squints into the bright light of the screen, bringing a hand up to shield his eyes.

Had he ever rested them this evening? Unlike Scott, he is still dressed in his regular clothes, but then again, there is a growing sense of vigilance as the city around them begins to shift. As the infection makes itself known.

Miller shakes his head as though disoriented, looking around himself as his eyes adjust. ]

Now hold on. What is going on here?

[ The screen, however, seems to pay no mind to his request for an explanation. A number one appears on it followed by the first question, DO YOU LIKE HURTING PEOPLE? and Miller says nothing more at first, simply staring at Scott with a furrowed brow. ]

I don't understand... Is this some kind of sick joke?

[laserguy]

[Well, guess he's with someone that's just as grumpy as him. Probably even grumpier.]

The world's worst version of an icebreaker.

[And he hated them enough in high school. Being forced to socialize with others pretty much annoyed him back then, but now there's a stupid twist of 'do you like hurting people.' Like what the hell man. Guess he shouldn't expect anything else with Aldrip... especially with how fucked up things are with the gnosia infection.

He once again wonders of Miller is infected and fuck he hopes not. Maybe he should just blast the older man with a heal just in case, but probably best to not waste that power just because he's a little stressed. Play it cool.]

...We'll probably have to go through this. [He can try blasting it with his powers, but...]

[melnik]

[ Gnosia or not... he's not happy to be here. Unfortunately, this makes distinguishing between the possibilities a bit of a shot in the dark on a purely surface level. But perhaps that's exactly what the world's shittiest icebreaker game is hoping to dig out of them.

It's a bit of shame, really, to end up together like this. He holds no ill will towards Scott. But Miller is no stranger to staring someone he knows in the face and entertaining a paranoid internal monologue. He shifts on his feet, hands tightening into fists. Yes, he can play that part. ]

Damn it. All right, all right. [ But how many questions will there be? He paces a few steps, seemingly debating on how to begin. ] It isn't a "yes" or "no" answer. There are some people who deserve to be hurt. Would I be wrong for enjoying bashing in the head of some bloodthirsty cannibal?

[ The screen flashes green and Miller whips his head back around to Scott, wordlessly looking for some input on just what that means. ]

[laserguy]

I think it liked your response.

[Although, Scott can't help but make a face at Miller's answer. Guess it's pretty much what he should've expected from a gruff military dude, but man. Maybe it's just hard for him to imagine enjoying hurting anyone, even 'bloodthirsty cannibals.' He remembers the time he used his powers on infected--- people that could've been saved and just... no.

He glances away from the screen for a moment, obviously disgruntled by everything that's happening. Scott knows that he'll eventually have to answer too, especially since he made a big deal about doing it in the first place. So, with a small sigh, he looks back at the screen, back at Miller, and shakes his head.]

No, I don't like hurting anyone.

[Similarly, the screen flashes green. Guess it liked his answer too.]

[melnik]

[ Normally, it would be a more nuanced topic. If he got to choose between killing Nazis and not being in the position to have to, he'd have chosen the second without question—but without being given any choice in the matter, he's not about to deny the desire for disproportionate amounts of self-defense either. In this case though, it's just convenient that the truth coincides between both sides of himself. Especially convenient as it starts to become clear that their responses are somehow being evaluated...

Miller is not particularly surprised to hear Scott's answer, but rather, when the screen turns green again, it's more valuable to him as insight on what the purpose of this test is. His expression softens to something more neutral as the frustration begins to fade from his demeanor. ]

What is it you think they're hoping for us to say?

[ Before they can put it to discussion, the screen settles onto the next question: WHO HURT YOU THE MOST? And with that, his passivity cannot last for long, lip curling. ]

Come on! What point are you trying to make here?

[ "You." As if he even knows who he's talking to. ]

[laserguy]

[Guess he should be glad that his answer went through without a hitch. If this stupid thing accepted both his and Miller's response, even though they were vastly different, then guess what matters the most is speaking truthfully?? Easier said that done, however, because the next question comes forth without delay and Scott's face turns even more sour upon reading it.

Dude, that really is a fucking personal question. It somehow feels worse than the last one. It's just going to be a downward spiral of suck, isn't it? Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and destroy the screen with his powers, but better hold off still. He knows he can't be too rash in these sort of situations, so Scott swallows down his irritation, trying to put forth some semblance of calm.]

It's probably leading to some big question at the end, right?

[It's not just the world's worst icebreaker.] I mean, it'll probably ask us about death and pain.

[apeshift]

[ At the hint of the cool breeze against his cheek, Marco snaps from asleep on his feet to alert panic so quickly that it's immediately clear he's well-used to rude awakenings. It's hard to tell under the dimness of night, but for a moment a patch of skin on his arm seems darker than the rest, almost as if coarse black fur's growing out of it - and then a second later it's gone, and it's just a normal if scrawny looking teenager standing there shivering in an oversized t-shirt.

He's not sure who the guy in front of him is, but judging by his equally annoyed expression and sleepwear, this probably isn't the culprit behind his sudden abduction. Not that he's letting his guard down in the slightest; this 'gnosia' thing might not be exactly the same as Yeerks, but mind control is mind control and he's dealt with that long enough to know not to trust anyone blindly. For a moment, he considers morphing to Leeran to take advantage of the telepathy...but no, that form had even less combat ability than his own frail weak human body, and revealing such a major card now would only paint a target on his back.

Best plan of action would probably be to just go along with what this guys says: get this over with, and get out of here. Marco tucks his hands into his pockets and leans back casually, trying to project an attitude of typical teenage apathy. ]

Couldn't agree more. They couldn't have at least teleported us somewhere warm and cozy with an unlimited snack bar?

[ The first question pops up: do you like hurting people? He rolls his eyes so hard they're almost at risk of falling out of his skull. ]

Well, that depends. Did they drag me out of bed at ass o'clock at night to answer a stupid survey?

[laserguy]

[Ah, that apathetic stance from Marco is wholly familiar. Yeah, he feels that on a spiritual level or whatever. Sure, he's been pulled out of his loner outcast mindset months ago, but it doesn't mean that Scott still isn't a shithead from time to time. It tends to come out when he's cranky, like right now, although any irritation he has isn't directed towards the other teen but just the situation.

It's easy for him to distinguish now and it helps that Marco is being a smartass about everything too.

He'll even do him a solid and not comment about the patch of skin that turned a different shade of red for him with fur coming out. It just makes him curious more than anything, wondering and maybe hoping that he's a mutant like him. Even with the other mutants that finally arrived here, Scott would never say no to more.

Well, unless they're like super evil.]

I think they're excluding themselves, otherwise everyone would say 'yes.'

[Although, if it came down to it, Scott still wouldn't enjoy hurting someone, even for this. However, not saying that out loud.] But obviously the answer is 'no.'

[He stares at Marco as if hoping the other teen will agree.]

[apeshift]

[ Now that he's rubbed the sleep out of his eyes enough for them to adjust to the darkness, Marco finally notices the sporty pair of shades Scott's wearing despite it being ostensibly an hour where only the douchiest of bags would wear sunglasses. Hm...the guy could be blind, in which case he will feel like an ass for questioning the fashion faux pas, or he could be faking it in order to hide the fact that he's a crazed possessed murderer, in which case he will feel like an ass for letting his guard down.

Or maybe he really does just like to be cool 24/7. Marco is only judging a little bit. ]

Seems like a pretty pointless survey if the questioning's already this flawed.

[ And yeah, he can already feel the intense Boy Scout vibes emanating from behind the shades. Or maybe they're fake vibes from a possessed faker. Either way, it sure is a familiar sensation! ]

Aside from kicking butt at Street Fighter? Nah, not really my thing either.

[ The screen remains blue...he'd like to test what lying does, but maybe not on this particular question with a stranger in front of him. And it is the truth, after all; violence for Marco is a means to an end, a necessary chore, but not something he takes any particular pleasure in.

Besides, parasitic slugs don't count as people. ]

[laserguy]

Yeah, we can both agree that all of this is stupid.

[Especially since they've been dragged out of bed to do all this. He was comfortable, warm and just enjoying some goddamn sleep for once since this crisis started, but nope, he can't even have that. Now he's standing out here in sleep clothes and sunglasses like a real asshole.

Scott can sort of tell that Marco is internally questioning his glasses, but just to be a dick, he doesn't clarify. Look, they're already getting to know each other through this questionnaire, he'll toss in information about his shades later or whatever. Besides, he wasn't lying about wanting to get this all done sooner rather than later.]

Great, so we're on the same page still.

[There's some sarcasm in his voice, but honestly, he is relieved when the question disappears from the screen without trouble. Guess that means Marco wasn't lying either. But then there's the next question and Scott groans.]

Seriously? ['Who hurt you the most?'] Whoever dragged me out here to do this thing.

[And the screen flashes red.]

[apeshift]

[ If this is only question two, he's not looking forward to however many's left. His already annoyed expression slides towards incredulous and he reaches towards the panel, smacking it a couple of times in hopes of finding some way to turn it off or change the display to no avail. ]

Oh come on, where's the fast-forward button on this thing?

[ Ugh fine, he'll do the dumb survey if it means getting out of here faster. Luckily Scott answers first, which means he doesn't have to be the first to test out if lying means getting electrocuted or dropped into a shark tank or whatever other punishment these twisted freaks might think of doling out. ]

Becca Carthy, seventh grade. Told me she didn't date boys shorter than her. [ He rocks back on his heels, clutching his chest overdramatically and reeling like he's been shot. ] Left me with a mortal wound from which I may never recover...though honestly, I'm pretty sure she was just jealous I had better hair than her.

[ Unsurprisingly, the screen flashes red again...and he can't quite hide his sigh of relief when it moves on to the next question. ]

[laserguy]

That's really how girls are.

[Scott snorts, unable to hide the amusement from his face when Marco tells his heartbreaking story about Becca Carthy. A true tragedy here. The other teen's dramatics actually works to lighten up the mutant's mood, a small smile crossing his face. Yeah, it's no surprise that the screen flashes red when Marco finishes his story, but it's not like Scott cares if he's telling the truth about that. He doesn't like normal icebreakers and it's not like he's in a rush to find out his deepest secrets.

Yeah, he sort of prefers the organic way of doing that. Like. You know. Just hanging out and whatever. Marco's answer gives Scott an idea, however, and he turns his smirking expression to him.]

Hey... do you want to see how many stupid answers we can create for this survey?

[Especially since the next question is 'what are you most afraid of?']