I spoke
To him
The Avatar
The Muse
As a man
Speaks to
Another
Man or woman
Face to face
A man
Standing in
A circle
My mind'
Expanded
My senses
Were opened
I saw
What was
To be
A multitude
Of possibilities
Building
Expanding
And stretching
Into darkness
(From "The King's Vision" Page 7. Diagram of the message inscribed in a circular pattern on the floor.)
(Text written along the border of the circle)
32 32 2d 31 2d 33 2c 20 33 2d 32 2d 33 2c 20 35 2d 33 2d 31 2c 20 39 2d 31 2d 33 2c 20 36 2d 32 2d 32 2c 20 32 30 2d 32 2d 31 2c 20 32 35 2d 32 2d 36
…
Kana Tokugawa (Queen's) notes: A similar pattern emerges in this instance of text, though the Hexadecimal translates to a series of numbers grouped into sets of three numbers separated by dashes with each group of three numbers separated by a comma. Dates? Or is this a cipher for decoding a hidden message written in the main text? Or could these numbers possibly have multiple meanings? It is unfortunate that King himself possesses only a vague recollection of The Vision during his days of cognizance. On the days that he can remember and understand his own writings and formulas, he is, unfortunately, impossible to communicate with.
Test Subject 03 Video Journal Entry Transcription 01
Name: Hibiki Kurosawa
VRAINS Alias: Various. Has appeared under the Aliases of "FU," "IH8U," "Demonspawn666," "HelpSoLisLITERALLYusingmeasahumanguineapig!," and, "qwertygirl." Her favorite avatar appears to be the one she uses to compose music and when dueling, "Hellfury."
Gender: F
Height: 149 cm
Weight: 50.84 Kilograms
Blood Type: B+
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Red
Skin Color: Tanned
Other Notable Characteristics: Jewel piercing on nose. Completely deaf. Special Education instructors have been working with her to help her learn Japanese Sign Language.
Name of Recorder: Dr. Jirou Kurosawa (Bishop 2)
Audio Transcript (If it can be so labeled in this case)
Aina: *Silently stares at the camera for at least an hour before communicating in sign language.* So what's the gimmick with this test? Do you honestly think I'm an idiot? That I don't know that you aren't recording this? You want to psychoanalyze me so bad? You want to know what I really think? Well…how about this?
*The subject makes a rude gesture with her middle finger. I would note that this seems to be a sign she is particularly adept at using, even before she began learning sign language.*
Here's not only what I think, but what we all think! Record this!
We think you people are monsters! We think you should all rot in the deepest darkest prison in the world! Give us back our lives! Give me back my hearing! Give us back our freedom! Give everyone else who you've screwed back their lives, and sight, and feeling, and smell, and thinking! Give me back my music! Stop making me do these stupid tests! And stop…lying…to…me!
*The subject throws a tantrum at this point before throwing a chair at the camera, damaging the equipment. Security comes in and quietly subdues her, preventing further harm to the subject or SoL equipment.*
Test Subject 03 Video Journal Entry Transcription 01 (Continued)
*The video journal entry continues approximately five hours later in a secure location following intensive therapy and medication administered by Dr. Daichi Ishikuma and Dr. Kiyoko Taki. The subject is seated to face the camera while Dr. Ishikuma is seated directly behind her. An unseen mirror placed around the camera enables Hibiki to see Dr. Ishikuma's sign language while he sits behind her.*
Dr. Ishikuma: *Communicating in sign language* And now, Miss Kurosawa, would you kindly begin your journal by signing your name?
Hibiki: *stares at the mirror for several moments before mouthing her name rather than signing.*
Dr. Ishikuma: *Gently taps her arms with a metallic rod.*
Hibiki: *stares at her arms before slowly and ponderously signing her name*
Dr. Ishikuma: *Smiles and pats the subject encouragingly on the shoulder before letting her take a sip of Cherry Cool-Aid from a straw.* Excellent. Now, why don't you tell the journal a little bit about yourself, Miss Kurosawa? What are some of your hobbies?
Hibiki: *Begins laughing uncontrollably before tapping her fingers against her chair, snapping her other hand, and bobbing her head up and down like she is listening to music.*
Dr. Ishikuma: *Taps her arms again with the metallic rod*
Hibiki: *Stops to slowly turn around and give Dr. Ishikuma a dirty look. Dr. Ishikuma doesn't respond, expression remaining impassive, before Hibiki slowly turns around and sings.* Music. I like music.
Dr. Ishikuma: *Pats the subject on the shoulder before attempting to administer another sip of Cool-Aid.*
Hibiki: *Suddenly slaps the cup from Dr. Ishikuma's hand before violently biting one of the Doctor's fingers.*
Dr. Ishikuma: *Yelps in pain before managing to extricate his bleeding hand and call for help. Moments later, guards enter the room to subdue Hibiki (again) while Dr. Ishikuma leaves the room. After approximately five minutes, Dr. Ishikuma returns, Hibiki's fellow test-subject, Hiromitsu, entering the room with him. Suddenly bawling, Hibiki launches herself from the chair, hugs Hiromitsu, and cries into his shoulder, seeming to mouth "I'm sorry" over and over again while he takes her hand and pats her on the back.*
*The recording continues in this manner for the remaining hour and a half. As I believe it is already clear to those viewing what the subject's mental state regresses to following attempts to 'reign her in,' I feel that further footage is unnecessary. *
*Unless the board would also like to see footage of Dr. Taki helping the subject remove her diaper and wipe herself clean in the bathroom because she can barely perform basic hygienic functions following any one of these sessions, in which case, I would be more than happy to oblige, if only to nail my point through the blackened hole where your hearts and brains should be, pardon the unprofessionalism. *
Kana Tokugawa (Queen's) Notes: Dr. Kurosawa appears to have redacted the last paragraph, considering it unwise to needlessly provoke the board. I personally preferred to keep the original document, so I included it here.
Recorder's Notes: (Continued from the last comment). That the subject has become highly uncooperative need not be stated. Any quality to my relationship with her has been, I fear, irrevocably damaged by the incidents occurring during the 3-year period of the Blackmarsh Trials. Not even the prospect of restoring her hearing is likely to restore her trust in either myself or other SoL Technologies staff members.
While I am relieved to report that her relationships with the other subjects has provided her with a level of mental and emotional stability, I must once again urge the board to reconsider their decision to immediately proceed with the Co-Linking Trials as the subject will likely cause herself and SoL Technologies further harm if she perceives her siblings to be in danger. She is a caged tiger, and any experienced zoo-keepers will tell you that those can be some of the most dangerous kinds of animals. I pity anyone who gets in the way of her wrath and laugh at my colleagues who believe that she can be controlled like our other pawns.
There are only three possible outcomes at this point. One: We push her and she lashes out, destroying herself and some of us with her. Two: We medicate her until her brain oozes out her ears, thus destroying any worth she has as an asset to SoL. Three: We carefully leverage the assets we have available to us to bring the subject back to the fold. I.e., we carefully guide her siblings and use their influence on the subject to shape her behavior. Considering the three options, I think it is obvious which course we should pursue. However, for it to work, I must again ask my superiors to delay the trials and give myself and my team additional time.
Ending A/N: Meet test subject 3, Hibki Kurosawa. In case anyone is wondering, the subjects are listed alphabetically in order, meaning that tomorrow we will be officially meeting Hibki's brother, who was seen briefly in the recording, Hiromitsu Kurosawa.
So, what did you all think of Hibiki? I don't know if we got to see too much of her, but then again, a character's full true personality often cannot be revealed in a single video recording, even if she does record her thoughts and feelings like any normal, compliant human being would.
QOTC: Although I could easily repeat the same QOTC from last chapter, I'd like to give you all some variety. So here it is.
Would you rather have Hibiki:
A. As a Sibling
B. As a teammate by your side in your favorite sports team
C. As a friend
D. As far away as possible
Yes, in a way, it does ask the same question as yesterday, but in a different more entertaining way, I hope. Either way, I look forward to seeing your responses.
And now, time to respond to your reviews.
Epsilon Tarantula chapter 1 . 19h ago
Hey, SOL is actually threatening!
But ultimately, having read this before...actually, it is still creepy, especially with new info.
No, I would not be friends with Aina because my mother is crazy enough and Aina is clearly going bonkers. I would prefer my limbs intact you know
Aina: That's okay…I wouldn't be friends with me either. It's actually a kind decision. You're not just looking out for yourself, but in a way, you're making sure that I don't get close enough to harm you. So don't worry. I'm not mad at you. I actually think you're perfectly sane to respond the way you did.
Donny: You have no idea how threatening SoL will become.
HunterHQ chapter 1 . 19h ago
Will this be connecting to the original anime at some point?
The experiments of the project reminded me of the trials in maze runner to me.
Donny: Yes, it will, and yes, I suppose you could compare SoL to WICKED in this and the Co-Linking Trials to the Maze Runner Trials. Fortunately, there isn't a rampant flare disease killing everyone's brains…I hope…
bladeWriter3 chapter 1 . 17h ago
So it's finally ready. Good, now prepare for some spoilers. Haru-
*We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please wait while we sort them out. Thank you*
-and yes, that's because she is totally related to her. There, spoiled.
Although I just realized something, never got the age of the six children. I've just been assuming Chika is eight or nine.
But no, I would not actually be friends with Aina if I met her. I'd adopt her and her siblings, because I'm the kind of person who does not like it when innocent children suffer.
Biograph Magician: PREACH!
Astrograph: It's true, he is. Did the same thing for all seven of the Losers from IT...and Georgie also.
Yeah, like I'm the only one who can't keep him killed off for real.
One last thing though, did not expect your head cannon name for Queen to be Kana. All this time I've been going with Saeko (The definition of the kanji fits her personality, and it sounds like 'psycho,' as in "This Psycho B***h!)
Off to a good start
Donny: Hey, I already knew Anna Kozuki was Haru's mom. It was obvious from the very beginning.
The children are all Playmaker, Takeru, and Aoi's age at this point. If you want a timeline for the events of this fanfic thus far, here it is:
At age 6 (one year after the Hanoi Project began), Aina, Chika, Hibiki, Hiromitsu, Katashi, and Kyou are adopted
At age 11, the subjects begin The Blackmarsh Trials
At age 14, the Blackmarsh Trails end
At age 16, we arrive at the present time of this fanfic
As for Queen's name, there were plenty of names I could have chosen. But I chose to give her names related to royalty. Tokugawa is obvious to those who know Japanese history. "Kana" means "one who is powerful."
Aina: Oh, I don't think you'd really want to adopt me…I wouldn't want to be a burden on you.
Lindia Fullmoon chapter 1 . 16h ago
I would not mind being friends with Aina if I met her. She really could use a friend to keep her sanity. As for the first chapter, it's not something I expected to read, interesting yet it makes me wonder when I will get to read the actual story. I agree that it stinks not to be able to taste or smell, or lacking the other human senses I generall. I think being deaf and blind is the worst.
The first chapter will be published on January 1st of the New Year.
Hibiki: *signing* Yeah, being deaf sucks.
(Donny note: The above was a joke. I am well aware that most in the deaf community do not see their deafness as something "that sucks." Still, in Hibki's case, having had hearing once, she sees her current deafness as an affliction, and so does not feel any connection with the rest of the deaf community.)
ThePLOThand chapter 1 . 5h ago
Should I
A. make a tasteless (yeah I know) smelling pun
B. *Reference a dead meme*
Me: Hey Hey Donny
You: Yes Plothand?
Me: Writing stories?
You: No Plothand
Me: Telling Lies?
You: No Plothand
Me: Open your docs!
Ah Ah Ah!
Don't ask me why I would chastise you for writing, but yesterday I randomly thought of the first two lines, so I had to make this joke SOMEHOW! Also, did you know that there's an actual movie called 'Johnny Johnny Yes Papa'?
Perhaps that therapist having the same name as in SOR isn't a coincidence...
SOR x Co-Linked crossover confirmed!
And yes, the QOTCs are slowly spreading across all of fanfiction!
As for the answer... I dunno. But among QOTCs this isn't the most typical one.
If her Alias is Reaper, I wonder what her deck is. And what kind of crazy duels you'll write in Link Format.
BGM
start: Digital Root - 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors Music Extended
for Aina: Ace Attorney - Investigation ~ Opening 2001 (Orchestration)
Donny: I have no idea what "Johnny Johnny Yes Papa" even is, so nope!
Go ahead, make that pun. See how soon it takes for some Social Justice Warrior on the internet to crucify you.
Yeah…perhaps there is no coincidence…perhaps…
Oh trust me, I am LOVING writing duels in Link Format. So many wonderful archetype possibilities and strategies are possible now. I'm sure you can ask one of my friends for spoilers on Aina's deck.
Thank you all for your continued support! See you tomorrow!