Hey there! Did you know that yearly check-ups are the best preventative medicine you can give to your darling CYbuddy? Their health is of the utmost importance and from the Pomeranian to the Velociraptor, it's so very necessary to give your CYbuddy what he or she needs to be as happy and healthy as can be. After all, CYbuddies are the first and last defense in the war against loneliness, so you must do your best to protect the ones you have! You wouldn't want to be a friendless CYbuddy-less loser, would you? Through thick and thin, rain or shine, your CYbuddy will love you forever. And ever. And ever. Do not disappoint your CYbuddy.
You blink and suddenly find yourself in what looks like a doctor's waiting room, completely alone aside from the robot receptionist. Posters line the walls in various degrees of friendliness. Actually, is this the vet? It kind of looks like the vet. In fact, when you look down towards your lap, there will be a creature snoozing comfortably on you. Really, how did you not notice? The creature's collar names him Fluffy. (That's a dumb name, why did you name your pet Fluffy? Be more creative!) If you decide to call out to the receptionist, they will ignore you, but soon after you will hear clacking of sharp nails on the floor as someone -- or something -- comes out of the back room.
No worries, it's just the doctor.
 Greetings! My name is Thelonious T-Bone the Third and I will be Fluffy's doctor today. I will take good care of your dear Fluffy and be right back to you with him or her in a jiffy. You can, of course, completely trust me for I am the best in the business! No other Velociraptor can treat and heal pets as well as I, most certainly. But there is one tiny little thing, you see. My nurse is out sick today and my hands are too small and dangerous to work well without accidentally killing your poor pet. So, to make up for this, I will need you to be my nurse today. Do you think you can handle that?
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PHASE I [ 09 00 ] Welcome to ViViD's state of the art pet care simulator. It looks like everyone is ready and willing to get started -- maybe a little too eager to get started. There seems to have been a minor misunderstanding actually and Dr. T-Bone seems to think that... well, that you're the pet. Didn't he see Fluffy's collar? (Still, such a dumb name!)
If you don't think fast, you're likely to be shoved into a kennel or forced into getting really uncomfortable shots (to prevent rabies, you see; side effects include dizziness, nausea, sprouting animal ears for a few hours and the increased desire to bite people). At least you'll have company since it looks like this mistake is happening to everyone. Might as well get cozy and get to know the people stuck in the kennels next to you while you're here.
PHASE II [ 1200 ] It's time to actually be the nurse! And time to treat one of Dr. T-Bone's most prominent clients. You will be led to, well, a dinosaur -- a T-Rex to be exact. And you will be told that your job is to take care of its teeth.
That's right. Someone has to clean all of those teeth. And it looks like you're the lucky sap who got the job. Don't worry, the Tyrannosaurus Rex's name tag proclaims it to be vegan (and to go by the name of Sir Gadzooks) so it should be perfectly safe to reach into that gaping maw and start cleaning those teeth.
Alternatively, you could make your dental assistant do it; looks like you weren't the only one to get dragged into this farce. The question is, which one is handling the sharp pointy objects, and which one is sticking their hand into that mouth?
Also, it's not really a vegan dinosaur, that was a great big lie. And it's very, very hungry -- now might be a good time to run.
PHASE III [ 1300 ] Hope you weren't doing anything important (like sticking your hand into the mouth of a dinosaur), because someone is now throwing a blindfold over your eyes and hustling you right into the basement. A couple of twists and turns later, and you're being shoved into what appears to be an underground... peacock fighting ring? With a jaunty peacock headband on and none of your weapons on you, it seems as though you've been mistaken for a particularly ugly peacock and have been tossed into the ring.
Look out though. Those peacocks look mean. They'll go straight for the eyes if they get the chance, and will peck away merrily at your head. Of course, the walls aren't that high all things considered (they're peacocks), so it probably wouldn't be that hard to escape the ring.
(Or, if you manage to find your way down there yourself, you can always join in on the ludicrously outlandish betting pool. It might be a good way to get some cash -- if you bet on the right peacock.
Actually, is that Mr. T-Bone in the crowd too? Someone get the quack out of here!)
PHASE IV [ 1600 ] There's someone whispering.
It's a quiet, throaty whisper, and no matter where you are in the ViViD level, you can hear it. Sometimes, it's clearer than others. Sometimes, it can barely be heard at all. But it's always there, whispering, "Come closer. Come closer. Come closer."
If you should gather up your courage and follow those whispers, they will lead you to a... bird. Upon seeing you, the bird will begin to speak again in that throaty whisper, this time detailing the destruction of your world, down to the tiniest of details, such as the look on your best friend's face as they died, or the last words of your most important person. It's almost hypnotic, so much so that you can't pull away --
And just like that, the bird squawks, and it's over. What was that about? Hopefully nobody else heard all of that.
BONUS [ xxxx ] You go to speak with the vet, whether to complain about your treatment at the hands of the others, the fact that you had to play dino dentistry or to let him know that there's an illegal peacock fighting ring below his practice, and before you know it there's talk of "just to be safe" and "you never know what someone with an attitude like that will do" -- which, what? All of a sudden Dr. T-Bone and his receptionist are shoving you into a cone of shame. How embarrassing! And no matter what you do, it just won't come off.
In fact, if nothing else, it seems magnetically attracted to the walls and anyone else wearing one. If one of those poor fools happen to be within a ten foot radius of you, prepare yourselves for a massive collision. What a pain, right? It seems like the cones won't come off until you (and your magnetic partner) get out of this confounded level. If only you could find the exit (and Fluffy too -- where'd he get off to?)
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Walter | Shin Megami Tensei IV
SCREAM, phase III
Hmm... I should have won something.
SCREAMS?!?! AN ISABEAU?
After scaling the walls of the ring and entering the crowd of spectators, Walter begins his search for his weapons and his coat. His tunic hangs in a heap around his waist, leaving his upper body bare and exposed. Red marks litter his skin like a canvas, like they've been put on a display after a rough confrontation with an exotic bird.
Most people call after him, whooping and shouting for him to get back into the ring, but none dare approach. They see him as a wild, dangerous animal after all. His actions are unpredictable.
It's the splash of royal blue that catches his eye. The coat of the Samurai is unique enough that he knows that it's not just a cheap copy of something familiar to him. ]
Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I'd have hardly believed it! Isabeau?
[ Seeing her now, after everything they've been through, should be awkward, but for some reason it isn't. He's ecstatic to meet with one of his friends, even if they're no longer his comrade. In the scheme of things, it's a relief. ]
What's this? [ He'll try nabbing one of those slips. ]
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[ She still gets worried every time any one of them goes on tournaments like these, but even if they aren't on the same side anymore, seeing Walter do well made her smile. ]
But you're injured and you probably need some rest - hey!
[ Aaaand those slips get snatched out of her hand before she can react. If Walter looks at all of those slips in turn, it seems that Isabeau has made a profit on Walter's antics. She seems to have bet on all sorts of actions that he would do in the ring - ranging from attempting to flap his arms like a bird to all out victory. ]
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These are the wagers you've placed, aren't they?? Hoy! This is my name! [ He at least is able to tell that much. He even points at his name clearly written on the slip. ]
Did you win anything? [ He won all of the fights he actually participated in, at least. If she bet wisely, she should have gotten something! ]
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[ She tilts her head to the machine that they're standing in front of. ]
If you insert the slips into this machine, it'll tell how much the winnings are and dispense them accordingly.
[ Now Isabeau's extending a hand for them back. ]
So if you would hand them back to me, Walter...
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These are technically my winnings, yes? After all, if memory serves me correctly, it wasn't you who did all the work in that ring.
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[ She says, still trying to reach for them from him. She's really invested in getting some of that money because this place has the collected edition of The Rose of Versailles. She needs it. ]
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Wait a moment -- if you're here... Then what about Flynn? Jonathan?
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I've been all around and asked, but I've not seen Flynn or Jonathan anywhere.
{ Isabeau shakes her head sadly as she starts feeding the slips of paper to the machine. ]
It seems like it's just me and you here in this place.
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I'm surprised you're trying to make the best out of an otherwise ludicrous situation. It seems I've finally rubbed off on you. [ Yeah, giving himself credit somehow. ]
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I learned a lot from Oscar...
[ She finishes feeding the slips in and a notice displays on the screen: tap CereVice to transfer credits. Isabeau points to the Gauntlet on his arm. ]
Hold it up to the screen, Walter.
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Like this? [ He does as he's told for once!! ]
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Credits loaded.
[ Isabeau holds up her own Gauntlet to the screen and her own Burroughs repeats the same thing. ]
Happy now?
(no subject)
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ii!!
You need not use a sword at all. [She lifts up a giant brush.] Perhaps this is easier. [She didn't say "better".]
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You've come prepared, I see. I have to commend you for that.
[ Approaching the beast, he takes it upon himself to keep between the girl and the jaws of their client. It's the gentlemanly thing to do. Offer himself up as the first snack if it tries for a taste --- well, not that he'd let it. ]
Have you done this before?
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[Tools for this though? Seriously? She might not actually fear their predicament, but she is still confused about why. And this one here, her partner in crime, he has good intentions that she can appreciate. But she wouldn't want him to get hurt in the process.]
Never in my life. I have no idea where to start.
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Well, I'd be deceiving you if I told you I did. Perhaps this was intended to be a learning experience.
Between the two of us, I don't think this will be too hard of a challenge.
So, uh, let's get started then. Care to hand me the brush? [ He'll hold out one hand. Because he's confident he can wield it with one hand, like it's a sword. ]
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They it will be a first for us. Both. But ah...I hope that it will not be a challenge. [Is there a way to pacify the beast?!
She's unsure if she should hand him the brush, but he seems enthusiastic about this whole task all of a sudden. Reluctantly, she hands it over.] Where will you start first?
no subject
[ Now... where's the paste they're going to use to clean these pearly whites? Ah, ... well, there is the small tube on the tray, but will that be enough? Walter works on uncapping the tube and squeezing ALL of the contents out on the bristles. ]
I can't believe I'm doing this. phase I ig.
(Maybe it's the drugs.
...Then again, maybe he's just always like that.)
That he's finally shut up for a few breaths means that he finally seems to become aware of Walter trying to catch his attention. He stalls his assault on the door for a second to look over at him, sharply.]
Out? [Say that again, he's listening. His hands pull in and out of restless fists, knuckles bruising, split in places where they'd caught the cage wrong. Craning his neck to catch a glimpse of what Walter's doing to the door.] How?
omg... come on, it's all good fun.
please do actually.It's not like Walter doesn't notice his erratic, aggressive behaviour. Anyone else would consider him to be a liability and maybe leave him behind, but Walter believes he deserves a chance at freedom just as much as he does. As a human being, it's his duty to help a fellow man out. ]
I've found us a way out. You just have to trust me and listen to what I have to say.
You must continue what you were doing before. If the room goes too quiet, they'll start to suspect something. [ He keeps his hand clenched around the bars, holding the gate shut as the vet assistants outside begin leaving the room. They shut off the lights before shutting the door behind themselves. ]
If you're prepared to fight if it comes to it, all the better.
I'm never fun, this is strange and alien territory.
The quarters in his cage are cramped and his visibility is sort of shit for it—and he'd been very busy being pissed off in the direction of his captors—so most of the odd shit (magic? monkey...tails...) happening from Walter's direction has flown under his radar.
Until the lights dim, and the flicker of fire magic does not. His expression creases and his posture squares up, brows drawing together.
But he is listening. And he can take direction when he wants to. He pushes himself away from the side of the cage to ram his shoulder into the barred door again. I doesn't budge, but it rattles, loudly. Once again echoing through the room.]
Whatever it is, do it.
[If it gets them out, he's more than prepared to fight. He's been trying all this time. No reason to stop now.]
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But they'll have to deal with that after. Right now getting out of here is priority.
Opening the door of the kennel, he quickly moves out and stretches up to his legs. He practically staggers from the numbness still rattling his bones, but stabilizes well enough in order to move to Eren's kennel and begin working on disabling the lock there. ]
We haven't much time. [ Becoming a demon is a gruesome process from what he remembers, but he'd always wondered if being one really was all that bad. Regardless of what he thinks, what he feels is a churning sensation deep inside his gut. It makes him sick, thinking about the prospect. ] I'm beginning to change and I don't know what will happen afterwards.
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Change?
[That they're pressed for time doesn't surprise him. Whatever kind of asshole thinks it's okay to kidnap people, to lock them up in cages—they need to put a stop to it. Change, though, he doesn't yet follow. They don't have demons where he's from. (Though they do have monsters of their own. He's pretty familiar with shapeshifting, actually. Just a very specific kind.)]