[center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjg4LmNiMjBiYS5kR2hsSUhSMklITnhkV0ZrLjAA/twiddlestix.regular.png[/img][/center] Their situation was [i]quite[/i] the downer indeed. Braden had run into none other than Jezabel Volcov, the Infinite Clown- no, Trickster. Braden had to take a moment to recognise her. The last time he'd seen the tiny woman was back when they worked together on TV and he had [i]always[/i] seen her in her jester getup. She began replying to his questions, giving him the basic idea of what was going on. Braden was hoping that Jezabel was just exaggerating, but going by what she was talking about... A night of carnage? A killing game? This was just too serious to be a mere prank. The puppet scratched it's head, [color=82a327]"Can we not just... leave? The lift had to have come from somewhere?"[/color] Braden mutely pointed towards the elevator he had come out from. “Like.” Jezebel sighed. “You'd think so, but the buttons totally don't work. Whoever is controlling them has disabled the control panels or something. They don't even open up again unless someone's coming out.” She placed her hands on her hips. “But anywho, it's been a while since the whole TV thing right, what have you been up to?” The clown's face beamed brightly with a toothy smile. The puppet edged closer towards the clown, partially covering his mouth whilst looking back over his shoulder towards Braden. [color=82a327]"Mister Fussy Pants right here has been staying home like a l[i]oooooooser[/i]-"[/color] Braden, who was initially looking the other way, snapped his head towards the puppet. He pulled it closer, shoving Elias into his pocket like a disposed tissue before bringing out Erica. [color=82a327]"I meaaan, Elias isn't wrong but he's still kinda a dumbass."[/color] Erica grew silent as she regarded Jez. [color=82a327]"You look human. I like it. Better than the trash you'd wear on TV."[/color] Braden immediately shoved Erica back into his pocket, pulling Elias back out instead to rectify the situation. [color=82a327]"Just ignore Erica, she doesn't realise what a total bitch she can be! How have [i]you[/i] been doing?"[/color] Braden looked at Jezabel mutely. Jez giggled. “Don't get too used to the new look. I just felt so grody when I got up this morning that I didn't bother to change back.” This was not the first time Jezebel had to talk with the dolls, which was probably why she wasn't overcome by their strangeness. “Turns out my eyesight needs to get corrected. I can't even shoot a crossbow at a target twenty feet away. Everything just kinda looks hazy in the distance.” She looked over the dolls head. “Like, they could have at least corrected my vision before sticking us in here ya know?” She looked at the puppet master. “Speaking of, what did you go to Axis Mundi for?” [color=82a327]"You still look mighty fine, I might add. Ignore Bitchica, she's just jelly."[/color] There was an odd muffled sound coming from Braden, but it was unclear whether it was Braden himself or if it was Erica protesting her nickname. [color=82a327]“Well, there’s no better treatment than seeing me, of course!”[/color] If the puppet could wink, it would have done so. [color=82a327]“So here I am! Axis Mundi’s very own hot treat~!”[/color] Braden sighed impatiently. He wrapped a hand around Elias’s mouth (or the general region anyway) and asked the question that was bothering him. [color=82a327]“Where are the rest of the patients? The video on the elevator said there were more people?”[/color] His voice, unlike Elias or Erica, was flat and almost monotone, but his eyes showed the confusion he was feeling. “They're all up already.” She was about to reach for one of Braden's hands, only to realized he was using them to control and subdue his puppets. “So like.” She gestured. “Follow me, we'll find someone.” With his hand still on Elias's mouth, Braden continued asking the important questions. [color=82a327]"I assume we're not exactly in Axis Mundi...? I mean... it looks like it but..."[/color] He grew quiet. [color=82a327]"Well... I don't really remember my time in Axis Mundi outside my room so..."[/color] Braden would have rubbed the back of his neck if both his hands weren't busy. The two wandered the hallways for some time, until they found Mary, skulking around a corner. In her attempts to catch Caora, she had developed a skill for stealthy movement, and thus was often difficult to find, let alone talk to. She jumped when she heard voices behind her. [color=pink]"Oh damn! You scared me!"[/color] She made a puffy face and pointed at the two. [color=pink]"What are you two doing here?"[/color] Braden glanced up towards the new character. He could recognise the voice, but couldn't place the face. He furrowed his eyebrows as she enthusiastically approached the two, blaming them for her fright. [color=82a327]"Oh my~! Another pretty girl? Maybe I don't mind this after all~!"[/color] Elias eagerly gave Mary a once-over. Braden panicked. When the fuck did his hand slip?! His hand immediately shot back up to cover his puppet's mouth. [color=82a327]"I apologise. Elias... can get excited in the presence of girls."[/color] There was a high pitched muffle that sounded suspiciously like [i]"damn right!"[/i] coming from his pocket. “I'm just showing the new kids around.” Jezebel placed a hand on Braden's shoulder and pulled him closer to herself, seemingly oblivious to what was going on. “Come to think of it, you've totally been here longer than I have. You could so help me show Braden around. I could get to know the other Betty hanging around these parts.” Jezebel's smile seemed to grow wider and more devious. “Maybe help you find your little Baldwin.” Mary was a bit miffed that these guys snuck up on her. But she had to admit, she liked the attention she got, so she gave them a courteous smile. [color=pink]"Is that a puppet in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"[/color] She quipped, and put a hand on her hip. She then giggled a bit. [color=pink]"Well, I can't say I've been here a terribly long time either. But I suppose, I've been here longer than some..."[/color] She looked aside, a frown on her face. She then brought her smile back. She had an audience after all, and she could distract herself from Cookie-hunting once in a while. [color=pink]"But sure, I can give you boys a tour. And don't you call me Betty, sir; the name's Mary Hanson, the Infinite Streamer and today's internet sensation."[/color] She then leaned over a bit, just to further drive her point as a web celebrity home; give them a view to remember. [color=82a327]"Dear, I'd be happy if I could see you all the time."[/color] Braden inwardly groaned as the puppet [i]still[/i] tried flirting with the giggly blonde. He looked to Jezabel for help, maybe she could distract Elias? Instead, Elias took the look of help as a sign of something else. The puppet's voice grew louder until muffling the puppet wasn't enough. The damned thing [i]wanted[/i] to be heard. [color=82a327]"Ooooooooh boy! Lookie here folks seems like Braden can't make up his mind~! Thoooooooough to be fair Jezzie is a hottie too, so I can't blame ya~!"[/color] Braden spoke out before Elias could be taken seriously. [color=82a327]"This is just the stupid puppet talking. Please ignore him when he's being stupid."[/color] The irritated man gave Elias a threatening glare until the puppet grew limp, seemingly giving up. [color=82a327]"Alright funs over ladies. Mr Fussy Pants looks like he's gonna have a fit."[/color] If Elias could pout, he would be doing so now. [color=82a327]"Let's go on a little house tour, eh? Don't forget to show me your rooms too~!"[/color] Jezebel groaned uncomfortably at the mention of rooms. “Actually, I'd like to see more of the new place first.” Her smile returned. “I think Icing and Calvo are the only ones who have been over there. You can totally show lover boy your room later.” Mary was amused by the ventriloquist's antics. [color=pink]"Oh, is that how it is? Blaming your perviness on a doll with a hand up its ass? How naughty~"[/color] She then turned to Jezebel. [color=pink]"Sure, I haven't been there yet either. Let's-a-go!"[/color] Despite being the one to ask for help, Jezebel led everyone into the second-floor hospital wing. [hr] Greeting them as they entered the hospital was a pharmacy. The front of it had fairly large windows, and one could see the hundreds of bottles of medicine contained within. “I wonder if like, someone should guard this place? Looks like a drug abuser's haven.” To the group's left was another window. Through it there was a conveyer belt holding some gel implants. The conveyer belt wasn't moving though. “Oh cool, we can get stacked!” Jezebel laughed and spun on her heel. “I don't suppose either of you have gotten that kind of operation in the past, have you?” When the group entered the wing and saw the bottles, Mary's attention seemed to have been drawn. [color=pink]"Yeah, just some drugs....I bet there's no subscription-level..."[/color] She mumbled to herself. She shook her head. [color=pink]"Nope, these puppies are all natural!"[/color] She lifted her arms past her shoulders and bounced, grinning at Braden. [color=pink]"Not a single trace of silicone~"[/color] Braden looked away, letting his hair cover most of his face whilst Mary... showed off her girls proudly. Elias on the other hand? [color=82a327]"Nope, it's all natural"[/color] Mirroring Mary, the puppet extended the word all whilst unabashedly staring in Mary's direction. If Elias were a real guy, he would no doubt be bleeding from his nose at the sight. Braden stiffly moved towards the implant workshop to look through the window. The Ventriloquist pulled out Erica from his pocket, leaving Elias to gawk and be distracted by the Streamer whilst he talked through his female puppet. It felt like Erica was his only chance to look normal... [color=82a327]"Oh hun, it's definitely not us who needs some help in that department."[/color] Erica answered Jezabel. Yeah, he was doomed. Jezabel scratched the back of her neck. “Right.” She looked between her companions. “Only reason why I ask is that I've totally been thinking about getting some work done. I heard that Axis Mundi has some pretty state of the art facilities. Not that I want to get anything too serious done.” She hugged herself. “But it seems like, over time, that kind of stuff just makes you super grody anyway. Like that chef on that cooking show? So not cool.” Mary winked at Elias, sending it a flying kiss. She then heard Jezebel, and set her arms to her hips as she sighed. [color=pink]"Oh Jezzie, you don't need to do plastic surgery. You're beautiful as you are....But you could thin your makeup just a bit. You know, less Sun King, more Cute Fling!"[/color] She hid her smile under her hands. [color=pink]"Guys are not into the whole whiteface thing. I think it might offend some, too. I'd like to see you all natural."[/color] Elias finally turned to 'look' at Jezabel. [color=82a327]"Hey come on girls, loosen up a bit. Jezzie is cute in her own way. She's [i]totes[/i] a Betty."[/color] Elias mimicked Jezabel's way of speaking, tone suggesting that he was proud of himself. Meanwhile, Erica also peered through the window Braden was looking at. [color=82a327]"Can we not go inside? I'm bored of window shopping-"[/color] Braden didn't waste a minute trying to search for the door into the implant workshop. Before he could turn the corner, the sound of static filled his ears before... [b][i]"Good morning sunshine...!"[/i][/b]It was that same cosplaying teddy bear on the screen in front of them. For once since leaving the elevators, Elias went quiet. At first, Monokuma seemed to rant about Stalin before abruptly changing the topic to Australia. It felt like a routine announcement until static filled the screen before being replaced by a carnage sister that distinctly reminded Braden of a certain puppet currently inhabiting his right hand... When the monitors cut out, leaving a blank screen for the infinites to stare at, Braden turned to face the two girls. [color=82a327]"What are they talking about? What motive?"[/color] Braden asked, his two puppets remaining quiet on either side, as if stunned. It felt like something was going to go horribly wrong.