[Video]

[provenworth]

[Look who is finally back on the network? Why, its the lovable Turk, Elena, returning from her two week stint in the medical ward, looking much like how she went in. Her mouth is pulled into a strained grimace, staring into the camera.]

I'm afraid I've been out of communication for some time now and it looks like I've returned to quite a mess. If there is anybody left that hasn't fallen into some sort of coma, I would suggest that we get together to discuss the situation. There must be something that can be done to return these people to their senses.

Comments

[fifth_kazekage]

From what I have observed, people were often comatose when being experimented on.

A vivid sensation, such as pain, may disrupt their current state.

[provenworth]

Are you suggesting that these people are being experimented on? I don't see any doctors or scientists around.

If that is the case, we would first need to test out your hypothesis on one or two individuals. Then we will need to coordinate efforts to ensure we cover all floors of the tower.

[fifth_kazekage]

Yes. The sleeping period itself could be the experiment. Unless they are being affected mentally, somehow.

We will likely need to acquire more assistant for this endeavor. Is there a list of known affected individuals?

[provenworth]

How interesting. Has it been discovered how the sleep was induced or why only certain individuals were affected?

Agreed. And with a building this size, odds are we're going to need at least teams of two to ensure not a single room is missed.

No, I don't believe there is at this time and I wonder if it would be fruitless to create one. I suggest we try to assemble a good sized team to assist in the wake-up.

[fifth_kazekage]

[He shakes his head. He speaks from experience, but unless this woman came from the facility as well, she wouldn’t understand.] It is sensible to affect only a certain portion of the population – the control sample. It depends on what the scientists intend to achieve.

Understood. Assuming there are enough unaffected individuals.

I can begin immediately. [He stands up from the computer terminal.]

[video]

[hundred_power]

Comas? [That's even more serious than he was thinking.]

Worry not, I'm moving the victims to safer places.

[absolute_perception]

I am available should you require my assistance. I don't know yet what's causing people to fall into a coma, but I have seen a dream as if I was on the outside looking in and a part of it.

[Elian looks like he's in thought while he tries to figure out a solution. So far, he hasn't come up with anything.]

They seem healthy otherwise.

[provenworth]

[A grimace pulls at her lips before turning into a frown.] That's an unpleasant thought, though very reasonable. I'd be curious to know what sort of results they were looking for.

We can only hope so. If not, we'll have to develop a system to ensure every floor is accounted for and we don't end up missing any affected individuals.

I would suggest that if you come across any others unaffected, keep them with you. Better to have small teams in case you come across any trouble.

[video]

[provenworth]

Perhaps, but I'm not sure. They could be natural or, as I suspect, induced. Somehow.

Good idea. I got a suggestion on a potential way to wake them up. If you're near somebody, give them a hearty slap or pinch. Something to cause a vivid sensation that should, hopefully, bring them out of their sleep.

[midgarhorizon]

No. I was trying to make one but it appears they're all asleep or freaking out to reply.

[video]

[midgarhorizon]

That isn't going to work, Elena. Already tried pretty much everything, even cold water.

video;

[midgarhorizon]

Elena, there's been no response from Tseng so I'm going to go look for him. Can you coordinate things? Get a list of people. Find out what they were doing. I don't want to get glued to the network here.

video;

[provenworth]

Tseng is here?

[She's visibly blanching, eyes widening fractionally. She must have really been out of the loop - she didn't even know he was in the facility. A small, quiet part of her was silently terrified.]

Good idea. Please contact me when you find him.

[Distraction, sweet distraction.]

I've already begun coordinating with a few others who reached out to me earlier. There is a theory that a vivid sensation, like a slap or pinch, might bring them around - but we're not entirely sure it will work. I'll gather all the information I can.

[video]

[provenworth]

We are only two people, Reno. Wouldn't it be smart to at least utilize the people who are willing to help?

[video]

[provenworth]

You mean they're not responding to anything? Odin's beard....just what happened to all these people?

video;

[midgarhorizon]

It won't. Trust me. Already did it. We're either lookin' at something seriously wrong or they're in some sort of magic induced sleep.

Xion collapsed while we were takin' a long breakfast. We were waiting for Shion and suddenly she got real sleepy and just flopped over.

Rusty's in his room, I found him passed out with a shoe still on.

Yu was just outside his on the floor.

[provenworth]

Thank you, yes. The more help we can get, the better. For the time being, if you find any individuals in open spaces, please move them to a safer location. Gaia only knows when a monster will appear to make their lives more problematic. We have no set system in place yet, but eventually we want to check all floors.

[video]

[midgarhorizon]

[Snort. Yep. He just gave the most disdainful snort ever.]

video;

[provenworth]

Damn. Maybe I was being a little too hopeful that it would actually work. Either way, we should at least get the people who are laying around to some sort of safety.

Do we know if there is any way to connect them - those who fell into this coma? I mean, did they all eat the same thing? Take a pill? What?

[video]

[provenworth]

[Long. Hard. Stare.]

I don't hear you saying no.

video;

[midgarhorizon]

Whatever Xion was eating's probably cleared away by now. I had my usual sandwich thing. I have no idea what Rusty or Yu were doing.

[video] filtered;

[midgarhorizon]

It's probably time I told you.


I don't trust anybody here except Xion and Shion and you guys and I think half of the rest have mush for brains.

[absolute_perception]

[There is a momentary pause. Being as small as he is, it would be difficult for him to move anyone.]

I'll do the best I can.

[He may not be able to carry anyone, he can defend them at the very least until help arrives.]

[moontothetide]

Um, hi. Non-coma patient here. I'd, um, totally be up for talking, if only because... [It's getting goddamn creepy seeing all these still, sleeping people around the place.] ...well, um, we have to do something. Right?

...most of what I'd have to say is bad but, um, I guess that's nothing new...

text; anon

[denigrator]

Oh, I'm sure they'll revive sooner or later. I see no cause for concern.