(NGX) The Zodiac Game (End) : Berry Big Circus

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Thu Jan 07, 2021 11:55 pm

Pierre

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Juanli laughed dryly and leered up from the floor at the guards through her hair "Well this is fine...if we can't talk about this then at least you'll all just DIE then...the more of you that do, the greater odds my S-S-Sunny can be avenged." she let her head fall back forward to the floor where she continued to alternate between gently chuckling and sobbing in a heap.

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Thu Jan 07, 2021 11:58 pm

Datamatt

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"Maybe on a few things, but not on murdering fucking innocent people," Mei replies, "I'd only trust one of you with the key. Otherwise, whatever causes the least suffering is good for me."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:46 am

KamiPanda

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"I don't think it's going to be as easy as some are making it out to be, and pretending otherwise won't help anyone," Sun Taikong said coldly. "If we were all on equal footing here, then maybe we really could simply 'decide which group should leave'. As it stands though, the teams are intentionally unequal. Right now the Prisoner group gets to live as they have the key. How many of you would really intentionally throw that opportunity away to let the Guard group live instead? If the Guard group ever gets the key though, they - we - would hold all the power, as we have the means to escape and the means to control the Prisoners." He glanced sidelong at Mao and his baton as he said that.

"We might not all agree with that, but both sides are going to think, deep down, that the other side is thinking along those lines. From a Prisoner's perspective, they have no guarantee the Guards will let them leave if they give up the key, as the Guards can easily overpower them and break any promises they may have made. The Guards, meanwhile, have no guarantee the Prisoners actually will give up the key just because they've promised to. There's no balancing force, like say an impartial third-party judge with a gun, to enforce anything. We quite simply can't trust each other. And if you really want to argue against that, I'd like to remind you that despite our previous trust, one of us murdered a child."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:53 am

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"Why are we pretending like we don't know who pressed the damn button?" Suyin asks. "This fucker burned me alive to save some made up girl!" She points at Fujisaki as she yells. "Is it really that much of a stretch to think he'd kill a child just so he'd survive a little longer?!"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:57 am

Doctor Nanjo

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Hanzo Shimada wrote:

"My God... Are you kidding me?" Dr. Uwem asked, surprised by what was going on. "To think that X would be on the guards team and I on the prisoners team..."

"Revenge is a foolish thing which humans crave for no reason. If I had any desire for it, you would be headed through the afterlife gate as soon as possible. For now, I am not looking to settle the score," X's ice cold voice puts a little bit of discomfort at everyone's backs.

She steps into the room with her hands behind her back and a crooked smile at her pale lips.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:11 am

Kachu

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Joker wrote:

"Why are we pretending like we don't know who pressed the damn button?" Suyin asks. "This fucker burned me alive to save some made up girl!" She points at Fujisaki as she yells. "Is it really that much of a stretch to think he'd kill a child just so he'd survive a little longer?!"

"I don't like repeating myself." Fujisaki somehow sternly glares at Suyin despite his sunglasses.

"I am not fond of burning women. Yet I was left with no other option. I picked you out of the three. It was nothing personal. We've spoken about that long enough."

"It would've been foolish to push the button, as I was never alone and given the chance to do so. It might be difficult for you to see things from another person's perspective, but what would I gain from angering the boy's mother yet again?"

"I believe this was entirely personal, and I have no connection to the boy. The points gained should not have been enough to allow anyone's escape. There must have been yet another reason."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:41 am

Southern Corn

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Monk seemed to have straightened himself up, though his eyes seemed quite red. "As the leader of the prisoners, lemme just say there's no way we're giving up where the key is so easily", he growled. "I can't let us all leave in good conscience when there's a child murderer among us."

He turned to Suyin. "Look, I agree Fujisaki has been pretty suspicious so far, and there's no way in hell I'm trusting him, but we need more evidence, which we're lacking here. Either that or a confession, which I doubt we're gonna get anytime soon... The culprit could even be one of the guards, in which case they have the advantage."

His eyes flitted between the various guards coldly. He scratched his beard, clearly contemplating who it could be.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 11:53 am

KamiPanda

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"We have twelve hours. Hopefully enough time to find the truth," Sun Taikong said. "Though we're unable to leave the dungeons so there's no way to investigate... Not that there'd be clues to find in the first place. The child-killer simply found an opportunity to press a button, after all. Perhaps that made it easier for them to do it," he spat.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:26 pm

Pierre

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"That CHILD had a name! S-S-SUNNY! He was an artist, a sweet, beautiful soul!" Juanli roared, her eyes livid and puffy from crying. "Maybe for someone as dead-hearted as X vengeance has no value but I would relish it in a second. I'll never give up the key." she spat before devolving into quiet sobs once more.

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:13 pm

Doctor Nanjo

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“Vengeance is fulfillment derived from suffering. If I have no heart, then your heart exists but is sinister,” X retorts calmly.

“This is a game of making allies. Only the prisoners can end it. Ironically, it’s the guards who are trapped without means to change the game.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:44 pm

Planetbox

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One hour passes…

Some of the guards have already picked up weapons from behind the iron door. The Prisoners remain paranoid.

“Well, we aren’t going to get anything done by talking,” Mao says, “You all are supposed to be Prisoners. You’d best start acting like it.”

“And what precisely is that supposed to mean?” Monk asks.

With a flash of motion, Mao shoves Monk into the nearest cell. He stumbles inside, slamming roughly into the wall, just in time for Mao to close the door. The click of a lock rings out in the air.

“Jesus, what are you doing?” Monk shouts.

“Prisoners,” Mao explains, lifting the ring of keys in his hand. “Generally belong in cells.”

“N-Now hold on,” Taikong says, “There’s no need to be so rough.”

“None of the prisoners are entering the cells of their own volition, nor are they revealing the location of the key,” X replies, brandishing what appears to be a large spear. “This outcome is not only expected, it is also inevitable.”

“We’ll be putting all of you in a cell,” Mao explains, “They’ll be staggered diagonally, to keep you from passing anything between the bars. Of course, we will also be confiscating any weapons you have—which I believe doesn’t amount to much…aside from you.”

“M-Me?” Juanli stammers.

“Your scissors, of course,” Mao says, closing in on the woman. “Hand them over. Do not make me repeat myself.”

“No!” she shouts, “The killer is still out there! I need these!”

“Yes, of course, I understand,” Mao says, nodding.

Then, without warning, he dives for Juanli’s handbag. He grabs it and tries to pull, but Juanli holds on tight. He delivers a sharp kick to her arm, which proves to be a mistake. Juanli decides to pull out the scissors from the bag and stab them wildly forward, right into Mao’s stomach.

Mao’s stumbles backwards, scissors sticking from his wound. He looks down at them, then glares at Juanli and smiles.

“Thanks,” he mumbles dryly.

He slams the door shut and locks it.

Vesti and Lauren's Interdimensional Investigations
This CYOA follows Vesti Gates and Lauren Tehra, two detectives who search for the truth, whether in their own dimension or otherwise.

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:52 pm

Southern Corn

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Monk kept shaking the bars of his cell but to no avail. He was clearly a bit staggered, shouting expletives in Mao's direction. However, seeing him get stabbed by the scissors, he seemed shocked enough to freeze.

As he locked the door on Juanli though, he regained his fury, kicking at his door. "Mao, you bastard!" He yelled. "You're not getting away with this, dammit!"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:57 pm

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"Damn, that looks like it hurt." Amethyst smiled at Mao's injury. Despite her earlier words, she grabbed herself a baton after seeing other guards arming themselves. "It's too bad you just alienated the only people here with medical knowledge, huh?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:02 pm

Joker

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Suyin nearly dropped her baton as she rushed over to her husband. "Mao! Are you alright?" She asked.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:04 pm

KamiPanda

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"If you're going that far, I take it you have no intention of letting the prisoners keep the key?" Sun Taikong said angrily. He too was armed now, though it was unclear who he planned to use the weapons against. "Well, this much is about what I expected to happen," he added with a sigh, looking sadly at the prisoners. "The least we can do is keep things from escalating too far." He didn't seem concerned by Mao's injury.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:15 pm

Datamatt

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Mei winces at Mao being stabbed. She seeme to consider her words carefully, extending her arm and then immediately retracting it. The nurse gives a quick concerned look at Amandi, then returns her gaze to Mao.

"... are you going to let either of us help you out?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:22 pm

Pierre

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Juanli hurled some obscure chinese curses at Mao "You may as well kill yourself with those! I'm never telling you anything!" she screamed as she fell sobbing to the floor of her cell once more, curling up into a little ball and hugging her handbag which now only contained paper supplies, wondering how Mao knew.

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Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:45 pm

Doctor Nanjo

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“Scissors are an unusual weapon,” X says, dual-wielding a spear and cattle prod. “Naturally, Juanli is useless for us. She only desires revenge and will push the group toward a full death of the guards and kill prisoners as well.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:48 pm

JaytheBluPirate

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"Mei, are you a idiot?" Dr. Uwem asked, surprised by Mei's dedication to helping people. "Earlier back when we're trapped in here, Mao straight up told us that we're not touching him... Meaning that we can't treat him for injuries." It seems the doctor have a good memory.

"And to think he have the right to treat us like we're prisoners, even though we help people heal... How pathetic." The doctor remarked.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:54 pm

Datamatt

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Hanzo Shimada wrote:

"Mei, are you a idiot?" Dr. Uwem asked, surprised by Mei's dedication to helping people. "Earlier back when we're trapped in here, Mao straight up told us that we're not touching him... Meaning that we can't treat him for injuries." It seems the doctor have a good memory.

"That's why I'm fucking asking!" Mei replies, clearly annoyed by the response, "Don't you think things might be slightly different when you're stabbed by a sharp object?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:15 pm

Doctor Nanjo

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“Rabbit, would you consider giving us the key or your knowledge of it if we could guarantee the painful execution of the Dragon’s killer? Would it have to be with your own hands?” X crouches by Juanli’s cage, almost tempting Juanli to reach out and choke her. “Does this agreement interest you?”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:30 pm

JaytheBluPirate

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"Juanli!" Dr. Uwem yelled to get her attention. "Don't listen to X! While it may sounds really tempting to accept, but she's trying to get you to give up information... Besides, we have no evidence on who could have pushed the button..."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:34 pm

Kachu

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Fujisaki clenches his fist and glares at the guards angrily. "I'm not surprised it's come to this." Fujisaki of his own volition walks towards an empty cell, likely his own from the start of the game if that doesn't mess up the diagonal pattern.

"I don't intend on losing my other arm in a fruitless fight. You are all armed. I am not."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:54 pm

JesusMonroe

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“I was left no choice. All of you had the leverage if you chose to keep the location of the water key secret, I couldn’t let you just run away and escape. At least now we can discuss things on even terms.” Mao explained, pacing around freely outside the cells.

He had been putting pressure on his stab wound with a towel, which had already soaked red. “I am fine.” He responded to Mei, though it was unclear if he would remain so.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:38 pm

Doctor Nanjo

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X taps her head with a light smile, “I know who pressed the Dragon’s fury button, after all, I was a witness.”

“I can get a confession from the culprit, since you would not trust my word alone on who did it. Of course, the culprit will be tortured and die, so their desire to confess will be low, but I have ideas for leverage,” makes clawing motions with her hands. “So Rabbit, do you want this to be put in motion?”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:40 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao approached Fujisaki next, holding the keys in his hand. He locked the cell door, “Hope you and your girlfriend get real comfortable in there.” Mao chuckled to himself.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:09 pm

Southern Corn

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"You know what?" Monk blinked in surprise at X's revelation. "Dammit... you really had to be on the guard's side, huh? What else are ya hiding?" He asked, a skeptical look on his face.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:13 pm

Kachu

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Fujisaki silently stares Mao down as he locks the cage, not wanting to provoke him.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:15 pm

JaytheBluPirate

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"A very likely claim, don't you think, X?" Dr. Uwem asked, an eyebrow raised. "I don't think Juanli could give up information that easily... There's a good chance that you could have pushed the button and made up the claim that you saw someone push the button. Remember, I was unable to keep track of where you were until shortly before Juanli screamed..."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:22 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao went to Amandi next, ignoring the ongoing conversation. “Get in the cell.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:27 pm

JaytheBluPirate

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Dr. Uwem gave Mao a glare. The glare lasted a moment or two before the doctor turns and went into a cell.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:35 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao locked it and then finally approached Mei next. But surprisingly, he didn’t bark the same order at her.

“Mei. If it were up to you, which team would you have escaping?”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:36 pm

KamiPanda

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Sun Taikong tensed up, but said nothing for the moment.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:45 pm

Doctor Nanjo

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“Again, Dr. Uwem, I foresaw your skepticism. I will take it upon myself to prove what I saw with my own eyes by getting an account from the killer by any means necessary. I do not need to be trusted for this to work,” X says shaking her head.

“You seem to have a great distrust in me, Dr. Uwem. What have I done to earn such distrust? There was simply one time with a scalpel, but other than that I have a pristine record.”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 9:50 pm

Datamatt

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JesusMonroe wrote:

Mao locked it and then finally approached Mei next. But surprisingly, he didn’t bark the same order at her.

“Mei. If it were up to you, which team would you have escaping?”

Mei looks at Mao, evidently conflicted. She mulls over her answer for a few seconds, frowning.

"I... don't know. Why are you asking me?"

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:40 pm

JesusMonroe

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Mao looked at Sun, then back to Mei. “I just have a feeling. Are you sure you don’t know?”

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:43 pm

Datamatt

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JesusMonroe wrote:

Mao looked at Sun, then back to Mei. “I just have a feeling. Are you sure you don’t know?”

Mei looks at Mao, then to Taikong and then to Amandi, evidently conflicted.

"I... guess I'd say yours, but I still don't get why you're asking."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:45 pm

JesusMonroe

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“Because if what you really, really want us for Sun to get out of here, the only thing you need to do is tell us where the water key is. At the end of the day it’s your decision. Nobody needs to get hurt.” Mao’s voice was surprisingly comforting.

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:50 pm

Datamatt

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Mei looks to be at the very least seriously considering the option. A glance to her teammates later, she shakes her head and takes a few steps back while she tries to explain her thoughts, "No -- there's... more to it. Just, I can't do that yet."

Re: (NGX) The Zodiac Game (Black Timeline Z)

Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:54 pm

JesusMonroe

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“Very well then.” He gestured his hand towards the cell door, clearly commanding her to step inside.