argalia (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
entwinedfate) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
citynet2023-11-09 08:24 pm
entwinedfate) wrote in citynet2023-11-09 08:24 pm
audio, @Conductor
[ Hello, you all. While no one's blessed with a pretty face today, his soft, soothing voice should be good enough. ]
Forgive me if this is something that's remarkably normal in this unremarkable city we're in...
[ A small beat, as if he's preoccupied with something else; there's the gentle strum of some string instrument in the moment. A harp, maybe, at the university. ]
... But is there a reason we were asked about our satisfaction in regards to the party they threw last month? Along with that odd question in the second half -- how many of you voted to turn towards the voice, I wonder.
[ You know. This satisfaction survey, that popped up on everyone's devices the first of the month. More soothing harp music, it sounds like he's trying to pick out a tune from memory. ]
I admit, I'm a little curious about everyone's answers! I gave it a pretty neutral score myself; it was novel, but I wouldn't go again. The string of letters and numbers they had in reference to it was rather interesting too, though I'm not certain how it was "for the good of the many". Have there been any others? I recall a similar phrase the day their party was to begin too, actually.
Forgive me if this is something that's remarkably normal in this unremarkable city we're in...
[ A small beat, as if he's preoccupied with something else; there's the gentle strum of some string instrument in the moment. A harp, maybe, at the university. ]
... But is there a reason we were asked about our satisfaction in regards to the party they threw last month? Along with that odd question in the second half -- how many of you voted to turn towards the voice, I wonder.
[ You know. This satisfaction survey, that popped up on everyone's devices the first of the month. More soothing harp music, it sounds like he's trying to pick out a tune from memory. ]
I admit, I'm a little curious about everyone's answers! I gave it a pretty neutral score myself; it was novel, but I wouldn't go again. The string of letters and numbers they had in reference to it was rather interesting too, though I'm not certain how it was "for the good of the many". Have there been any others? I recall a similar phrase the day their party was to begin too, actually.
audio, un: junpei
I didn't go, so I just ignored it. But a few months ago, they asked us if we liked working together as a group better than going it alone... That was when they locked us in the mall.
Soooo if they're trying to improve, it sounds like it's not going great...?
no subject
Hm... Then I suppose that's the "Water Under the Bridge" project -- or however they'd like to call it -- Yesod noted. I would like to say, as someone who went to the counterparty, it does seem as if they punished us for working together in that instance. I guess we'll just have to play by their rules.
[ Haha. His tone implies that he doesn't think they should, for the record. Argalia isn't a narc. He's a rebel. ]
no subject
[But only because he didn't do it with spiteful intentions, not that he knows this... It was the cup noodle depression era, nothing more.]
Working together against the mastermind, though? Maybe the next try should be more covert. Uh, I mean, if anyone was going to... break the rules again.
no subject
They did try to be as covert as possible, for the record. But this city seems to have eyes in the most unexpected ways. Unexpected to most, in any case; I'm rather used to being from a city where you're not allowed a secret or two.
[ It's normal. Anyway! ]
If one was interested in going against the grain again, what would you recommend they not do?
no subject
[Local guy constantly banging on pots and pans about conspiracies is Not Subtle. He's not even good at hosting secret meetings, he keeps announcing them!!]
But uh... leave their phones at home? Check for hidden cameras? Cameras can be pretty small these days, like—
[don't say nipple size to this stranger]
—fingernail size.
no subject
You'll have to explain the second one to me. How would they check for that? Light reflections?
no subject
Yeah, more or less. It helps if you know what you're looking for, and what the most common places to stick a hidden camera are... I used to use them at work, and this place is lower tech than what I was working with back home. Should be easy.
[He's never looked for a hidden camera in this city, actually.]
no subject
I'll keep it in mind for the next time I lend a hand to a band of rascals, then. Adjacent to the topic, however, do you happen to have a list of people you'd consider well-liked or known enough to do me a favor?
no subject
What kind of favor?
private
I'd like to have someone with a little bit more of a foot in the door to suggest we see if the voting process, be it the rating of the projects they run us through or the resulting question that comes from it, matters at all. Whether we answer truthfully or not, if something might change by answering in a different way -- things like that. I'm a little too new, you see.
[ As charismatic as he can be... not here, with these people. It requires a finer touch to control the masses, one he hasn't got just yet for this particular setting. ]
no subject
Oh, huh. That's an interesting idea. Dunno who'd go for suggesting it, though.
[Don is popular? But also, this would be Mass-Scale Lying, so probably not Don...]
How would you prove that, though? That we can change what happens based on the votes, I mean. It's not like the masterminds are telling us why they're doing any of this stuff.
no subject
[ And if she did... well, it wasn't always the full answer. He likes that about her. ]
But it's worth thinking over. You said the first decision was whether it was preferable to working together or go at things alone, correct? Was it easier to handle being locked up at the mall when you were with others versus on your own?
I can say, for my part on the voices, when I stayed away from the haunted house they'd done up on purpose I began to hear the calls of those I knew. Who wouldn't turn at the sound of the dead?
no subject
[Ha........ anyway,]
I tried going it alone while we were in the mall, a few times— mostly people showed up to tell me I was being an idiot. I voted for teamwork in the end.
As for your imaginary voices... I'm not into ghosts, so not me.
no subject
[ Just curious! ]
no subject
[Trust no voice, actually!!]
no subject
Wow, they're really playing you like a fiddle! You don't think that'll have just as bad an effect if you do ever see the people you know again?
no subject
Uh... no? How do you mean?
no subject
[ The harp's melodic sound drops slightly, more mournful as he finds his fingering with it. A poor, sad song. ]
At this point, you know better than to trust your eyes, your ears. The city's only trying to get under your skin, after all -- be it with unusual behaviors, phantoms of the living and dead, or memories resurfacing. [ Bless Robby and his rundown. ] While there's always a chance someone you know could appear, what's more likely? That, or just another trick?
[ A beat. It isn't for Junpei to answer with, just for thought. ]
One day, someone you know does happen to show their face. A friend, a lover, an enemy -- whoever, but they're among the newest attractions of the city. Are they real? What's the likelihood? They might call out to you, act like they're new here -- isn't that just another way the city could imagine them for you to interact with? From what I've heard, the performances this place puts on are quite realistic one way or another...
... So, friend, what would you do? And be honest. Paranoia can only protect you so much, you know.
no subject
Well, that's sophistry. "Some people in these specific situations weren't real, therefore all of us could also be not-real"— it's not a very good argument from the start. Either way, why is the burden of proof on me instead of them?
[He's Just Saying, if someone wants to turn up and fool him - or not! - then his part in that little play is just to respond, not to run all the tests. Surely. That he would absolutely be the Orpheus to at least a few Eurydices if they were real notwithstanding; it's still a bad argument, sir!!]
I'm just saying, I don't think I'm the one who needs to prove authenticity. If you want an actual what-would-I-do, then... I'd give them a shot, depending on who it is.