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Jacks White Oak Mesmerism Lab Pm Track 240221
In the sterile confines of Room One at the Webster Clinic, Jack, a mesmerist, steps into the role of an instructor with two pupils, Aristotle and Meridith, to explore the depths of mind control through an advanced and controversial machine. The atmosphere is tense, with Meridith visibly uneasy about the machine's capability to infiltrate and manipulate the mind, voicing concerns about the ethical implications of such power. Aristotle, having seen the aftermath of such manipulations on a friend, is wary yet curious. Despite the imposing presence of the machine and Jack's warning about its misuse, both students are encouraged to engage with it, underlining a sinister undercurrent to this educational exploration.
The practical examination escalates as Aristotle and Meridith take turns with the machine, each reacting with a mix of fear, curiosity, and moral dilemma. Aristotle's session reveals a deep-seated fear, which Jack points out with a disturbing calm, hinting at the psychological and spiritual cost of tampering with free will. When it's Meridith's turn, the session takes a dark turn as she attempts to impose a seemingly benign instruction on Aristotle, only to collapse in agony, a stark demonstration of the machine's potential for harm. In the end, Jack underscores the lesson of the day as a grim reminder of the power and danger of mesmerism, leaving both students profoundly affected by the harrowing experience, with the lingering question of the true nature of control, free will, and the ethical boundaries of science and magic.
(Jack's [White Oak] Mesmerism - Lab (P.M. Track) )
[Tue Feb 20 2024]
In Room One of the Experimentation Wing at the Webster Clinic
In this room the stark, whitewashed walls exude a sterile, clinical atmosphere, punctuated by the low, persistent hum of sophisticated machinery that reverberates through the meticulously sanitized space. The polished, stainless-steel surfaces of the examination table and the gleaming array of intricate surgical instruments glisten under the cold, fluorescent light, casting sharp, calculated reflections that amplify the sense of detached precision and calculated experimentation characteristic of the Institute's enigmatic research initiatives.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
"Well," Jack says. "Let's begin. This will be a small class," he says. "This machine, as Mr. Wilson indicated, has power," he says, gesturing to the silver crown and the table. "We're going to take some turns in a moment exploring how it works," he says. "But remember how I discussed the origins of mind control in the lecture?" he says. "I omitted one common origin -- advanced science," he says. "This device is able to..." He pauses. "Infiltrate the mind, and give the person who uses these controls..." He paces to a keyboard. "Some influence. Some powerful, terrible influence."
Meridith says "... "
Meridith stays quiet, gazing at the machine. There is an unease in her body. A tightness. She folds an arm across her chest and grasps at her arm and bites her lower lip.
"Yeah. I've seen these things in action." Aristotle says, motioning towards the machinery. "Beau doesn't seem like he ever really recovered from it." He admits with a little nod.
"Come over here and take a look at the controls," Jack encourages Aristotle and Meridith. "We rent these facilities, but as students you have access to them for free." He pauses. "That said, you are -not- to ever use these facilities except under the supervision of a faculty member. Understand?"
(OOC: White Oak students can use the mindhack machine for no cost, but you need to have $100 on your character to use it. It won't actually charge you, but without $100 it won't work.)
Meridith...nods slowly moving over toward the machine with great trepidation, like it might reach out and grab her.
Meridith says "Isn't that like...a gross violation of the free will the Lord granted us?"
As instructed, Aristotle makes his way towards the machinery. He doesn't reach out to touch anything, but does let his eyes pour over the controls. "Read you loud and clear." He says, nodding.
"This machine is, in fact, a gross violation of free will," Jack tells Meridith. "But the Lord gave us freedom -- it does not mean there are not circumstances where we restrain it." He pauses. "Do you think God means to break down the wall of every prison?" he says.
At the question posed, Aristotle glances over to Meridith. It doesn't seem like he has an answer posed and ready - merely intrigued by whatever hers might be.
Meridith shrugs gently to Jack. "Yes. We are not put here on this Earth to judge. Perhaps the saying is 'kill them all, let god decide'. But I am not pro-prison. But I accept society at large struggles to live up to the righteousness of God. I just...don't celebrate the school struggling so...boldly with these machines."
Meridith says "Especially thinking of Sister Abigail with the power, petty sadist that she seems to be..."
"I think that there are many ungodly things in the world, Miss Walker," Jack says at last. "This is one of them." He pauses. "And while we do ungodly things, we should be mindful that when we do?" he says. "We do evil. Did you think it was evil when I used my magic to bend the minds of others?"
Meridith nods. "I did. I think that lesson could be done a hundred of different ways. But I'll admit, it made an impression. I want nothing to do with that power."
Aristotle remains silent, merely watching both Jack and Meridith as they discuss. Though, his own expression is contemplative, eventually looking away from them to in turn regard the machinery.
"Well," Jack tells Meridith. "This will be a lesson, too." He looks back at the machine. "The controls here affect someone on the table," he says, indicating the table. "Once that helmet is put down on them, you will have access to their mind. You will see their thoughts here, on this monitor."
(OOC: This room allows you to mindhack someone. When someone in mindhacked, you will see when they use the think, feel, and recall commands. You will not see internals, however -- a common mistake.)
Meridith grimaces as she studies the machine. "...That could be useful, by itself."
"How is a machine capable of doing that?" Aristotle asks, looking from the machinery and the controls over to Jack. "If there's machinery that can do this, it would stand to reason there's machinery that can duplicate other abilities that supernatural people can do, right?"
Meridith says "Like lighters..."
Meridith says "And airplanes..."
The priest continues: "They also allow you to use the sorts of mesmerism powers we discussed earlier," he says, indicating a set of controls. "Instructions, compulsions, even buried triggers -- both in someone's thoughts and in their body."
"Reading thoughts is a far more ethical use of the machine," Jack agrees with Meridith. He looks up at Aristotle. "I think there is an open question, Mr. Wilson, if this is truly science at all, or magic constrained in wires."
(OOC: You can use all of the commands in 'help hypnotism' when someone is mindhacked. When mindhacked, these powers have NO COOLDOWN.)
"I guess technically someone could pose the same question about magic. Maybe that's just formula and science without all the wires." Aristotle says, furrowing his brow just a beat in contemplation as he looks over the machinery. "Either way, it's fascinating."
Meridith rubs her chin thoughtfully, gazing at the machine, taking a slow walk around it.
"Finally, you can use the machine to create emotions and even entire illusory visions," Jack tells Aristotle and Meridith. "So -- as you can see -- it's quite powerful." He pauses. "We're going to take turns," he says. "One of you is going to go first, and the other is going to use the controls," he says. "And then you'll switch places. Who wants to go first?" he asks.
(OOC: You can also use the telempathy and illusions commands, but they do have a fifteen minute cooldown.)
Meridith says "...Um. Pass?"
Meridith says "I don't want to be in it or use it..."
"You should go first." Aristotle says to Jack, suggesting him for the chair.
"We call that 'failing', Jack tells Meridith. "I'm here to monitor what Mr. Wilson does," he says. "But this isn't optional. This is a power someone can use over you," he says to her. There's a look at Aristotle, amused. "
Meridith says "I've failed a lot of things, Father. I think I can stomach one more."
"We call that 'failing'," Jack tells Meridith. "I'm here to monitor what Mr. Wilson does," he says. "But this isn't optional. This is a power someone can use over you," he says to her. There's a look at Aristotle, amused. "I think this is a practical exam for the students. Also, I need to be here to stop anything untoward from happening."
"I understand your reluctance, but this is about everyone learning, Miss Walker," Jack tells Meridith. "You don't need to go first -- you can let Mr. Wilson go first, and then take your turn. That way you can go only as far as you feel comfortable with."
"I guess in that case, I could go first." Aristotle says. "I just don't want to be in it for long." He admits. A motioning hand goes towards the controls, "I don't really like being on the receiving end of all that."
"I'm not planning on keeping you in there forever," Jack tells Aristotle. "This is an exercise. If we had ten students in here, we'd have to cycle you all through quite quickly," he tells the young man.
Aristotle quietly grunts in reply, making his way towards the metal table to carefully settle onto.
Meridith exhales. "...Fine..." She gazes to the side. "But if you mess with me I'll..." She bites her tongue and moves to the machine, uneasily.
"So some things --" Jack nods at Aristotle. "Please remove all the metal you are wearing," he says. "It is rare, but that can lead to shocks," he says. "That includes probably the buttons on your jeans and the grommets on your sneakers," he says. A look over at Meridith. "If you have an underwire in your brassiere, when it's your turn we can all turn our backs." He pauses. "I've seen someone be positively roasted before, and you don't want to move around too much on the machine." He pauses. "Once he's ready and lying down, Miss Walker, fasten the restraints."
Meridith has a disgusted look on her face as she moves to strap Aristotle in, once he's ready for her to do so. Her gaze is on her work, the machine or down at her feet..
As instructed, Aristotle begins to remove anything on him that might conduct electricity. Shoe-laces go removed, as does his bracelet. "That'd be pretty shitty for someone to get forced onto this thing and then electrocuted." He notes.
It isn't long before Aristotle finds himself strapped in by Meridith once he's ready.
"It doesn't always happen," Jack tells Aristotle. "But when it does?" he says. "The burns." He shakes his head. "I'd like to save that risk for our little experiment, don't you?" he says. "When you're ready, let Miss Walker know. Again -- the machine -works- without restraints," he says. "But Doctor Plummer was careless, once. A patient moved, once, as the device was being fitted to his head, and then..." A helpless shrug. "The liability cost to the clinic."
Jack looks at Meridith. "When're ready."
(OOC: The command to restrain a helpless target is 'bind target'. The command to activate the mindhack is 'mindhack target.')
Meridith grimaces. Uneasily. She gazes over towards Jack. "...What now?" she asks.
There's an immediate wince that seems to occur once that helmet is settled on Aristotle's head, and it prompts a little grunt from him through gritted teeth. "Fuck that stung." He says, huffing out once the sensation fades.
Meridith says "Think of a number between one and ten, and cheat"
"And now we are in it," Jack says. "Look at the monitor," Jack tells Meridith, checking on Aristotle to make sure he is okay. "Ask him a question -- there."
Meridith says "This is fine...fun even."
"A number between one and ten?" Aristotle asks, glancing over at Meridith as he seems to contemplate something - or otherwise distracted by something else. "Sure. Yeah... I can do that." He says, despite looking a bit uncomfortable in the restraints.
Meridith says "Cheated by not cheating. Seven."
Meridith says "And I hated the mind control stuff, reading a mind is just mischief"
Meridith sticks her tongue out at Aristotle.
Meridith says "...But sorry. I'll take it easy on you, okay? Promise."
"Mr. Wilson," Jack asks quietly. "What are you most afraid of?"
Meridith frowns uneasily, rubbing her arm. "...Sorry, for being glib. Really."
Jack tells Meridith, "There is something terribly unmanning about the machine," he says. "Even like this, there's some evil in it. Can you imagine what he would think of if we asked him his most humiliating moment?"
Aristotle crinkles his nose uncomfortably at Meridith when her tongue is stuck out to him, but a few beats later his attention is diverted by Jack. "...Huh?" He asks, as if petitioning him to repeat the question. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..."
Meridith closes her eyes and turns from the display.
"I'd rather you didn't." Aristotle says, his words changing from a petition to repeat himself once they register his musings. "This machinery isn't a toy." He says to Jack, as if the teacher were unaware.
"Let's finish our practical exam," Jack tells Meridith. "We'll do an instruction -- you can do either an instruction to his mind or his body," he tells Meridith.
(OOC: The syntax is either hypnotize instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction or hypnotize body instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction. Instructions will take effect as 'You need to', and body instructions as Your body
"Let's finish our practical exam," Jack tells Meridith. "We'll do an instruction -- you can do either an instruction to his mind or his body," he tells Meridith.
(OOC: The syntax is either hypnotize instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction or hypnotize body instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction. Instructions will take effect as 'You need to', and body instructions as 'Your body .')
Jack says to Aristotle, "Never fear. You'll be at the controls in a moment, Mr. Wilson."
Meridith nods slowly.
A little nod of acknowledgement is given at Jack, though it comes off a little stiffly given the equipment that Aristotle has.
"It is an invasion, Mr. Wilson," Jack tells Aristotle -- as if responding to his very thoughts. "This is something awful, in this room. I don't know why they give you students access." He pauses. "We've talked about locking it, but the societies need access."
Meridith operates the machine hesitantly, she wipes a tear from her eye as she inputs the instruction. "Sorry," she murmurs. "Can we free him now?"
After a few moments, Aristotle lets his eyes close as his thoughts seem distracted by something else. A little furrow of his brow starts to form as his lips press into a line. If anything, he looks nauseous - like someone trying to combat a sickness to his stomach to keep contents in. It seems a lot of his effort goes to that until that emotional sensation passes.
In a quiet voice, Jack tells Meridith, "That's something almost sweet, Miss Walker. I approve." He smiles. "One last -- a triggered instruction," he says. "This will wait for some condition, and then go off. Since you affected his mind, just now." His mind? What did she do to Aristotle "...let's make the trigger touch his body, shall we?"
(OOC: Triggered instructions are 'hypnotize person PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE (trigger phrase) instruction'. They do not go off until someone sees, hears, or reads the trigger phrase, which can be in an item or room description or the body of an emote. For instance: 'hypnotize john triggered instruction fear guilt anger (the color red) run as fast as you can back to your bed' would trigger an imprint 'Uou need to run as fast as you can back to your bed' whenever John sees 'the color red'. Could be in a say, could be in an emote, could be in a text message, could be an item or room description.)
Meridith...collapses in intense and brutal pain
A pause. "Miss Walker?" Jack asks, turning to look at Meridith. "What happened?" There's a look at Aristotle, concerned -- "Stay there," he says, though of course he has to, since he's tied up. He crosses to Meridith, crouching next to her. "Miss Walker?"
Meridith shudders, crying out as she clutches at her head. "Hnn...ah...hn...." She writhes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she murmurs.
There's a look between Meridith and Aristotle. "And so now we have a terrible lesson," Jack says, his voice low, his hand on Meridith's shoulder. "Mesmerism is a sword that can cut both ways. Even though Mr. Wilson does not know what you tried to do to him... his psyche rejected it." He pauses. "His psyche rejected it at awful, terrible cost."
"...Yep. I'll be here." Aristotle quietly says, eyes still closed as he speaks through gritted teeth. He seems of course to have heard the noise of someone collapsing, but doesn't open his eyes to look. Though, Jack's words allow him to confer something with Meridith.
Meridith says "I...I didn't...I thought it....h....h..."
Turning to look at Aristotle, Jack rises. "What is wrong with you, Mr. Wilson, that an instruction to 'forgive yourself for something you can't let go of' makes your psyche recoil?" He puts a hand on one of Aristotle's bindings, looking back at Meridith. "It seems we have some sins to explore."
Meridith says "L-let him go...please..."
Meridith begins to pull herself to her feet, wiping off tears from her eyes with her sleeve.
The question posed to Aristotle has his eyes opening now, looking over towards Jack. On his face, naturally, is a muted confusion. "I don't know what any of that means, Jack." He says, and it seems his tone is genuine. Though, his eyes glance down to the hand Jack has on his bindings for a beat. "You're not planning to throw stones, are you?" He asks, tone both curious and careful.
"The things I can't forgive myself for," Jack says quietly as he begins to undo Aristotle's bindings. "But that's Father, Mr. Wilson." He pauses. "I'll forgive you, given... the circumstances." As he undoes them, he offers Aristotle a hand. "A word of caution: the psychic connection between the machine and the mind can linger, even after someone is off the table." He pauses. "Mr. Wilson, if you can stand to step out and return, it should shake off any lingering entanglement."
Meridith sags into the chair immediately, looking exhausted and drained and miserable and guilty. She won't look at Aristotle.
At some point, before Meridith takes to the chair, Aristotle slowly and carefully sits up. He still looks nauseous and exhausted - odd considering he's done nothing physical but lay down. The words spoken to him by Jack are met with a nod, "...Yeah." He says. "I just need a second."
Jack says to Aristotle and Meridith quietly, "This machine is evil -- and evil things take some awful toll."
(OOC: When you resist an imprint, it can sometimes cost both you and the person resisting a great deal of LF.)
Meridith says "...I understand..."
Meridith removes her bra and sets it aside, with some effort. Her shirt is clingy this may be awkward. She removes a bracelet and sets it aside.
Jack looks between Meridith and Aristotle. "Miss Walker," he says quietly. "Do you feel up to letting Mr. Wilson try?"
(OOC: Also, the mindhack effect lasts as long as you stay in the room. You need to be helpless to apply it, but after that, it lingers. Moving out of the room usually ends it, though it can be buggy.)
Aristotle takes a moment as he leans against the wall to slip his bracelet back on. He fidgets with it for a few moments before looking to Meridith. The look lasts a moment before his eyes avert to Jack. "You said it lingers? Do I need to step out?" He asks. "Is it still... lingering?"
Meridith says "...Yes it's fine..."
Meridith says "...Only fair..."
"It is," Jack tells Aristotle. "If you step in and out, it should break the connection." He pauses. "Lie down, Miss Walker -- then Mr. Wilson can fasten the restraints and put the crown on your head."
Meridith nods and lays down on the machine, wiping her eyes on last time before closing them.
Aristotle nods at Jack. He takes a breath, palming at his face before stepping out of the room.
"Now then," Jack tells Aristotle. "Get her on the table and get her ready." He goes back to the controls, his fingers sliding over them for a moment. To Meridith, he says, "I know Mr. Wilson is a caring and responsible person -- you are in good hands," he promises. Unlike, perhaps, his own hands.
As quickly... ish, as Aristotle left, he's soon back in the room and approaching Meridith at the table. His demeanor is haggard, but he does manage a small smile for Meridith. Even if it doesn't look completely encompassing. "Nothing bad. Promise." He says to Meridith. He's then settling Meridith onto the table. The restraints are avoided, but he's reaching for the helmet to settle over her head.
"Be careful you don't move," Jack tells Meridith, when Aristotle skips the restraints. "Brain cells aren't replaceable."
Meridith says "The restraints would be better...please..."
Meridith's voice is quiet and low. She trembles softly.
When Meridith makes a request for the restraints, Aristotle acquiesces. He starts to restrain her to the table.
"What are you afraid of?" Jack asks Meridith from the console, slowly dialing in the monitor to get some accurate picture of the young woman's thoughts. He looks at Aristotle. "You are doing well."
A few moments later, Aristotle is settling the helmet on Meridith's head.
Meridith closes her eyes and doesn't speak. Why would she?
Jack looks to Aristotle. "She appears to be afraid of me." He leans back. "Perhaps that's not so unwise," he says. "Do you know how many young men and women I have had under my power like this, Miss Walker?" he asks Aristotle. "Can you imagine?"
(OOC: The 'think' command is just sentences. The 'feel' command creates feelings. The 'recall' command will create images.)
Of course, Aristotle can't help but draw his attention towards the display that continually spits out text after text. He then glances over to Jack for a moment, and he can't but wonder aloud, "Do you enjoy this, Father Jack?"
"Of course not," Jack tells Aristotle -- but then, he's not on the table, is he? "I'm trying to teach you a lesson, Mr. Wilson, Miss Walker," he says. "This is awful. No one should enjoy this." No one should, indeed. "Here," he says. "Try the controls? Try an instruction, Mr. Wilson."
Aristotle looks at Jack, a slight crease of his brow with a gaze focused as if trying to discern something - or gain insight from something obscured. And then, with that look comes just the slightest look of some kind of concentrated effort - but whatever it might have been, is surrendered easily given how exhausted he looks. And then, the fullness of that expression goes away in favor of a contemplative glance to Meridith. Though, quietly, he admits, "I don't think I believe you." He says. He doesn't let it linger, though, asking next, "Do I type in some command on the... controls and then it'll do it?"
Leaning over Aristotle, Jack shows him the small keyboard and then an accompanying dial. "Type the instruction here," he explains as Meridith is bound on the table. "And then turn the dial to increase power before you commit."
Meridith says "I won't fight it...don't worry..."
Jack says, "Miss Walker -- there's no such thing as fighting or not. You don't make decisions." He pauses. "It's your psyche that chooses, and you never know."
Meridith says "Yes Father..."
Aristotle takes a look over the display as the machinery continues to dish out more and more of those private thoughts. He crinkles his nose, averting his eyes in favor of the controls as he begins to type an instruction in.
"There are people in this town I would be terrified to ask that question to," Jack tells Aristotle sotto voice.
Meridith says "When I was..."
Meridith blinks, as Jack speaks she shifts uneasily. "Thirteen...no...that wouldn't be..."
"That's because this town is worse than Sin City." Aristotle quietly adds, finishing his instruction into the console before looking to Meridith when she begins to answer.
Jack says to Aristotle, "Can you imagine asking James Arkwright that question?" He pauses. "Though --" There's a moment. "Miss Walker, I suppose I can't police respect in your thoughts, but I can try."
Meridith says "Uh-uhm...my happiest memory was...in the back room of...the Nymph I....I had been given a drug...and...a man um, he was...comforting me and...we...had very...good sex...um....against a wall..."
There's a long, low look at Meridith. "I'm sorry, Miss Walker..." He pauses, and then asks Aristotle, "If I could?" Jack is asking for access to the console.
Aristotle furrows his brow at Meridith's words, and even further at what displays, and soon he's moving towards her. "I'm gonna take your restraints off." He says, setting a hand to her bindings. "I told you to share your happiest memory... I thought it'd be a palette cleanser... if it helps, my happiest memory," he says to Meridith, as if trying to comfort her by sharing that bit about himself. "Was kissing a boy in a mausoleum at the cemetery after I was late to a halloween party. No drugs involved, but... it's kind of the same, right?" When Jack is asking for the controls, of which Aristotle has stepped away from, he's suggesting, "What're you planning?"
Meridith says "Urgh...it was Jack. I had a different story in mind then he started talking about how horrible that could be and I was like, why would that be terrible? And I started thinking of horrible happy moments"
Fingers dance, with some practice -- Jack has been at this console before. He looks up, sharply, at Meridith. "Now it's not your thoughts," he says. "Be polite." A look at Aristotle, and then he says -- "Look." A glance for the man before he hits submit.
Meridith begins humming loudly.
There's a slow inhale through Aristotle's nostrils at the additional information that Meridith reveals. With his expression those words are heard, processed, understood, and acknowledged, but he does not vocalize any internal opinion he may have on it. Instead, his eyes turn to the display as Jack types away, and then he's turning his attention back to Meridith.
"Miss Walker!" Jack says, stepping back from the console. He looks up at Aristotle. "Mr. Wilson," he says. "Try a triggered instruction, and then we'll unstrap her from the table and dismiss class for tonight." When Tomas enters, he looks up. "Mr. Inigo," he says. "Good evening."
"...I think I could just unstrap her now, right?" Aristotle asks, glancing over to Jack and giving him a fleeting look. "I mean... we get the point, by now, right?" He asks him.
The practical examination escalates as Aristotle and Meridith take turns with the machine, each reacting with a mix of fear, curiosity, and moral dilemma. Aristotle's session reveals a deep-seated fear, which Jack points out with a disturbing calm, hinting at the psychological and spiritual cost of tampering with free will. When it's Meridith's turn, the session takes a dark turn as she attempts to impose a seemingly benign instruction on Aristotle, only to collapse in agony, a stark demonstration of the machine's potential for harm. In the end, Jack underscores the lesson of the day as a grim reminder of the power and danger of mesmerism, leaving both students profoundly affected by the harrowing experience, with the lingering question of the true nature of control, free will, and the ethical boundaries of science and magic.
(Jack's [White Oak] Mesmerism - Lab (P.M. Track) )
[Tue Feb 20 2024]
In Room One of the Experimentation Wing at the Webster Clinic
In this room the stark, whitewashed walls exude a sterile, clinical atmosphere, punctuated by the low, persistent hum of sophisticated machinery that reverberates through the meticulously sanitized space. The polished, stainless-steel surfaces of the examination table and the gleaming array of intricate surgical instruments glisten under the cold, fluorescent light, casting sharp, calculated reflections that amplify the sense of detached precision and calculated experimentation characteristic of the Institute's enigmatic research initiatives.
It is about 50F(10C) degrees.
"Well," Jack says. "Let's begin. This will be a small class," he says. "This machine, as Mr. Wilson indicated, has power," he says, gesturing to the silver crown and the table. "We're going to take some turns in a moment exploring how it works," he says. "But remember how I discussed the origins of mind control in the lecture?" he says. "I omitted one common origin -- advanced science," he says. "This device is able to..." He pauses. "Infiltrate the mind, and give the person who uses these controls..." He paces to a keyboard. "Some influence. Some powerful, terrible influence."
Meridith says "... "
Meridith stays quiet, gazing at the machine. There is an unease in her body. A tightness. She folds an arm across her chest and grasps at her arm and bites her lower lip.
"Yeah. I've seen these things in action." Aristotle says, motioning towards the machinery. "Beau doesn't seem like he ever really recovered from it." He admits with a little nod.
"Come over here and take a look at the controls," Jack encourages Aristotle and Meridith. "We rent these facilities, but as students you have access to them for free." He pauses. "That said, you are -not- to ever use these facilities except under the supervision of a faculty member. Understand?"
(OOC: White Oak students can use the mindhack machine for no cost, but you need to have $100 on your character to use it. It won't actually charge you, but without $100 it won't work.)
Meridith...nods slowly moving over toward the machine with great trepidation, like it might reach out and grab her.
Meridith says "Isn't that like...a gross violation of the free will the Lord granted us?"
As instructed, Aristotle makes his way towards the machinery. He doesn't reach out to touch anything, but does let his eyes pour over the controls. "Read you loud and clear." He says, nodding.
"This machine is, in fact, a gross violation of free will," Jack tells Meridith. "But the Lord gave us freedom -- it does not mean there are not circumstances where we restrain it." He pauses. "Do you think God means to break down the wall of every prison?" he says.
At the question posed, Aristotle glances over to Meridith. It doesn't seem like he has an answer posed and ready - merely intrigued by whatever hers might be.
Meridith shrugs gently to Jack. "Yes. We are not put here on this Earth to judge. Perhaps the saying is 'kill them all, let god decide'. But I am not pro-prison. But I accept society at large struggles to live up to the righteousness of God. I just...don't celebrate the school struggling so...boldly with these machines."
Meridith says "Especially thinking of Sister Abigail with the power, petty sadist that she seems to be..."
"I think that there are many ungodly things in the world, Miss Walker," Jack says at last. "This is one of them." He pauses. "And while we do ungodly things, we should be mindful that when we do?" he says. "We do evil. Did you think it was evil when I used my magic to bend the minds of others?"
Meridith nods. "I did. I think that lesson could be done a hundred of different ways. But I'll admit, it made an impression. I want nothing to do with that power."
Aristotle remains silent, merely watching both Jack and Meridith as they discuss. Though, his own expression is contemplative, eventually looking away from them to in turn regard the machinery.
"Well," Jack tells Meridith. "This will be a lesson, too." He looks back at the machine. "The controls here affect someone on the table," he says, indicating the table. "Once that helmet is put down on them, you will have access to their mind. You will see their thoughts here, on this monitor."
(OOC: This room allows you to mindhack someone. When someone in mindhacked, you will see when they use the think, feel, and recall commands. You will not see internals, however -- a common mistake.)
Meridith grimaces as she studies the machine. "...That could be useful, by itself."
"How is a machine capable of doing that?" Aristotle asks, looking from the machinery and the controls over to Jack. "If there's machinery that can do this, it would stand to reason there's machinery that can duplicate other abilities that supernatural people can do, right?"
Meridith says "Like lighters..."
Meridith says "And airplanes..."
The priest continues: "They also allow you to use the sorts of mesmerism powers we discussed earlier," he says, indicating a set of controls. "Instructions, compulsions, even buried triggers -- both in someone's thoughts and in their body."
"Reading thoughts is a far more ethical use of the machine," Jack agrees with Meridith. He looks up at Aristotle. "I think there is an open question, Mr. Wilson, if this is truly science at all, or magic constrained in wires."
(OOC: You can use all of the commands in 'help hypnotism' when someone is mindhacked. When mindhacked, these powers have NO COOLDOWN.)
"I guess technically someone could pose the same question about magic. Maybe that's just formula and science without all the wires." Aristotle says, furrowing his brow just a beat in contemplation as he looks over the machinery. "Either way, it's fascinating."
Meridith rubs her chin thoughtfully, gazing at the machine, taking a slow walk around it.
"Finally, you can use the machine to create emotions and even entire illusory visions," Jack tells Aristotle and Meridith. "So -- as you can see -- it's quite powerful." He pauses. "We're going to take turns," he says. "One of you is going to go first, and the other is going to use the controls," he says. "And then you'll switch places. Who wants to go first?" he asks.
(OOC: You can also use the telempathy and illusions commands, but they do have a fifteen minute cooldown.)
Meridith says "...Um. Pass?"
Meridith says "I don't want to be in it or use it..."
"You should go first." Aristotle says to Jack, suggesting him for the chair.
"We call that 'failing', Jack tells Meridith. "I'm here to monitor what Mr. Wilson does," he says. "But this isn't optional. This is a power someone can use over you," he says to her. There's a look at Aristotle, amused. "
Meridith says "I've failed a lot of things, Father. I think I can stomach one more."
"We call that 'failing'," Jack tells Meridith. "I'm here to monitor what Mr. Wilson does," he says. "But this isn't optional. This is a power someone can use over you," he says to her. There's a look at Aristotle, amused. "I think this is a practical exam for the students. Also, I need to be here to stop anything untoward from happening."
"I understand your reluctance, but this is about everyone learning, Miss Walker," Jack tells Meridith. "You don't need to go first -- you can let Mr. Wilson go first, and then take your turn. That way you can go only as far as you feel comfortable with."
"I guess in that case, I could go first." Aristotle says. "I just don't want to be in it for long." He admits. A motioning hand goes towards the controls, "I don't really like being on the receiving end of all that."
"I'm not planning on keeping you in there forever," Jack tells Aristotle. "This is an exercise. If we had ten students in here, we'd have to cycle you all through quite quickly," he tells the young man.
Aristotle quietly grunts in reply, making his way towards the metal table to carefully settle onto.
Meridith exhales. "...Fine..." She gazes to the side. "But if you mess with me I'll..." She bites her tongue and moves to the machine, uneasily.
"So some things --" Jack nods at Aristotle. "Please remove all the metal you are wearing," he says. "It is rare, but that can lead to shocks," he says. "That includes probably the buttons on your jeans and the grommets on your sneakers," he says. A look over at Meridith. "If you have an underwire in your brassiere, when it's your turn we can all turn our backs." He pauses. "I've seen someone be positively roasted before, and you don't want to move around too much on the machine." He pauses. "Once he's ready and lying down, Miss Walker, fasten the restraints."
Meridith has a disgusted look on her face as she moves to strap Aristotle in, once he's ready for her to do so. Her gaze is on her work, the machine or down at her feet..
As instructed, Aristotle begins to remove anything on him that might conduct electricity. Shoe-laces go removed, as does his bracelet. "That'd be pretty shitty for someone to get forced onto this thing and then electrocuted." He notes.
It isn't long before Aristotle finds himself strapped in by Meridith once he's ready.
"It doesn't always happen," Jack tells Aristotle. "But when it does?" he says. "The burns." He shakes his head. "I'd like to save that risk for our little experiment, don't you?" he says. "When you're ready, let Miss Walker know. Again -- the machine -works- without restraints," he says. "But Doctor Plummer was careless, once. A patient moved, once, as the device was being fitted to his head, and then..." A helpless shrug. "The liability cost to the clinic."
Jack looks at Meridith. "When're ready."
(OOC: The command to restrain a helpless target is 'bind target'. The command to activate the mindhack is 'mindhack target.')
Meridith grimaces. Uneasily. She gazes over towards Jack. "...What now?" she asks.
There's an immediate wince that seems to occur once that helmet is settled on Aristotle's head, and it prompts a little grunt from him through gritted teeth. "Fuck that stung." He says, huffing out once the sensation fades.
Meridith says "Think of a number between one and ten, and cheat"
"And now we are in it," Jack says. "Look at the monitor," Jack tells Meridith, checking on Aristotle to make sure he is okay. "Ask him a question -- there."
Meridith says "This is fine...fun even."
"A number between one and ten?" Aristotle asks, glancing over at Meridith as he seems to contemplate something - or otherwise distracted by something else. "Sure. Yeah... I can do that." He says, despite looking a bit uncomfortable in the restraints.
Meridith says "Cheated by not cheating. Seven."
Meridith says "And I hated the mind control stuff, reading a mind is just mischief"
Meridith sticks her tongue out at Aristotle.
Meridith says "...But sorry. I'll take it easy on you, okay? Promise."
"Mr. Wilson," Jack asks quietly. "What are you most afraid of?"
Meridith frowns uneasily, rubbing her arm. "...Sorry, for being glib. Really."
Jack tells Meridith, "There is something terribly unmanning about the machine," he says. "Even like this, there's some evil in it. Can you imagine what he would think of if we asked him his most humiliating moment?"
Aristotle crinkles his nose uncomfortably at Meridith when her tongue is stuck out to him, but a few beats later his attention is diverted by Jack. "...Huh?" He asks, as if petitioning him to repeat the question. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..."
Meridith closes her eyes and turns from the display.
"I'd rather you didn't." Aristotle says, his words changing from a petition to repeat himself once they register his musings. "This machinery isn't a toy." He says to Jack, as if the teacher were unaware.
"Let's finish our practical exam," Jack tells Meridith. "We'll do an instruction -- you can do either an instruction to his mind or his body," he tells Meridith.
(OOC: The syntax is either hypnotize instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction or hypnotize body instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction. Instructions will take effect as 'You need to
"Let's finish our practical exam," Jack tells Meridith. "We'll do an instruction -- you can do either an instruction to his mind or his body," he tells Meridith.
(OOC: The syntax is either hypnotize instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction or hypnotize body instruction PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE instruction. Instructions will take effect as 'You need to
Jack says to Aristotle, "Never fear. You'll be at the controls in a moment, Mr. Wilson."
Meridith nods slowly.
A little nod of acknowledgement is given at Jack, though it comes off a little stiffly given the equipment that Aristotle has.
"It is an invasion, Mr. Wilson," Jack tells Aristotle -- as if responding to his very thoughts. "This is something awful, in this room. I don't know why they give you students access." He pauses. "We've talked about locking it, but the societies need access."
Meridith operates the machine hesitantly, she wipes a tear from her eye as she inputs the instruction. "Sorry," she murmurs. "Can we free him now?"
After a few moments, Aristotle lets his eyes close as his thoughts seem distracted by something else. A little furrow of his brow starts to form as his lips press into a line. If anything, he looks nauseous - like someone trying to combat a sickness to his stomach to keep contents in. It seems a lot of his effort goes to that until that emotional sensation passes.
In a quiet voice, Jack tells Meridith, "That's something almost sweet, Miss Walker. I approve." He smiles. "One last -- a triggered instruction," he says. "This will wait for some condition, and then go off. Since you affected his mind, just now." His mind? What did she do to Aristotle "...let's make the trigger touch his body, shall we?"
(OOC: Triggered instructions are 'hypnotize person PRESSURE PRESSURE PRESSURE (trigger phrase) instruction'. They do not go off until someone sees, hears, or reads the trigger phrase, which can be in an item or room description or the body of an emote. For instance: 'hypnotize john triggered instruction fear guilt anger (the color red) run as fast as you can back to your bed' would trigger an imprint 'Uou need to run as fast as you can back to your bed' whenever John sees 'the color red'. Could be in a say, could be in an emote, could be in a text message, could be an item or room description.)
Meridith...collapses in intense and brutal pain
A pause. "Miss Walker?" Jack asks, turning to look at Meridith. "What happened?" There's a look at Aristotle, concerned -- "Stay there," he says, though of course he has to, since he's tied up. He crosses to Meridith, crouching next to her. "Miss Walker?"
Meridith shudders, crying out as she clutches at her head. "Hnn...ah...hn...." She writhes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." she murmurs.
There's a look between Meridith and Aristotle. "And so now we have a terrible lesson," Jack says, his voice low, his hand on Meridith's shoulder. "Mesmerism is a sword that can cut both ways. Even though Mr. Wilson does not know what you tried to do to him... his psyche rejected it." He pauses. "His psyche rejected it at awful, terrible cost."
"...Yep. I'll be here." Aristotle quietly says, eyes still closed as he speaks through gritted teeth. He seems of course to have heard the noise of someone collapsing, but doesn't open his eyes to look. Though, Jack's words allow him to confer something with Meridith.
Meridith says "I...I didn't...I thought it....h....h..."
Turning to look at Aristotle, Jack rises. "What is wrong with you, Mr. Wilson, that an instruction to 'forgive yourself for something you can't let go of' makes your psyche recoil?" He puts a hand on one of Aristotle's bindings, looking back at Meridith. "It seems we have some sins to explore."
Meridith says "L-let him go...please..."
Meridith begins to pull herself to her feet, wiping off tears from her eyes with her sleeve.
The question posed to Aristotle has his eyes opening now, looking over towards Jack. On his face, naturally, is a muted confusion. "I don't know what any of that means, Jack." He says, and it seems his tone is genuine. Though, his eyes glance down to the hand Jack has on his bindings for a beat. "You're not planning to throw stones, are you?" He asks, tone both curious and careful.
"The things I can't forgive myself for," Jack says quietly as he begins to undo Aristotle's bindings. "But that's Father, Mr. Wilson." He pauses. "I'll forgive you, given... the circumstances." As he undoes them, he offers Aristotle a hand. "A word of caution: the psychic connection between the machine and the mind can linger, even after someone is off the table." He pauses. "Mr. Wilson, if you can stand to step out and return, it should shake off any lingering entanglement."
Meridith sags into the chair immediately, looking exhausted and drained and miserable and guilty. She won't look at Aristotle.
At some point, before Meridith takes to the chair, Aristotle slowly and carefully sits up. He still looks nauseous and exhausted - odd considering he's done nothing physical but lay down. The words spoken to him by Jack are met with a nod, "...Yeah." He says. "I just need a second."
Jack says to Aristotle and Meridith quietly, "This machine is evil -- and evil things take some awful toll."
(OOC: When you resist an imprint, it can sometimes cost both you and the person resisting a great deal of LF.)
Meridith says "...I understand..."
Meridith removes her bra and sets it aside, with some effort. Her shirt is clingy this may be awkward. She removes a bracelet and sets it aside.
Jack looks between Meridith and Aristotle. "Miss Walker," he says quietly. "Do you feel up to letting Mr. Wilson try?"
(OOC: Also, the mindhack effect lasts as long as you stay in the room. You need to be helpless to apply it, but after that, it lingers. Moving out of the room usually ends it, though it can be buggy.)
Aristotle takes a moment as he leans against the wall to slip his bracelet back on. He fidgets with it for a few moments before looking to Meridith. The look lasts a moment before his eyes avert to Jack. "You said it lingers? Do I need to step out?" He asks. "Is it still... lingering?"
Meridith says "...Yes it's fine..."
Meridith says "...Only fair..."
"It is," Jack tells Aristotle. "If you step in and out, it should break the connection." He pauses. "Lie down, Miss Walker -- then Mr. Wilson can fasten the restraints and put the crown on your head."
Meridith nods and lays down on the machine, wiping her eyes on last time before closing them.
Aristotle nods at Jack. He takes a breath, palming at his face before stepping out of the room.
"Now then," Jack tells Aristotle. "Get her on the table and get her ready." He goes back to the controls, his fingers sliding over them for a moment. To Meridith, he says, "I know Mr. Wilson is a caring and responsible person -- you are in good hands," he promises. Unlike, perhaps, his own hands.
As quickly... ish, as Aristotle left, he's soon back in the room and approaching Meridith at the table. His demeanor is haggard, but he does manage a small smile for Meridith. Even if it doesn't look completely encompassing. "Nothing bad. Promise." He says to Meridith. He's then settling Meridith onto the table. The restraints are avoided, but he's reaching for the helmet to settle over her head.
"Be careful you don't move," Jack tells Meridith, when Aristotle skips the restraints. "Brain cells aren't replaceable."
Meridith says "The restraints would be better...please..."
Meridith's voice is quiet and low. She trembles softly.
When Meridith makes a request for the restraints, Aristotle acquiesces. He starts to restrain her to the table.
"What are you afraid of?" Jack asks Meridith from the console, slowly dialing in the monitor to get some accurate picture of the young woman's thoughts. He looks at Aristotle. "You are doing well."
A few moments later, Aristotle is settling the helmet on Meridith's head.
Meridith closes her eyes and doesn't speak. Why would she?
Jack looks to Aristotle. "She appears to be afraid of me." He leans back. "Perhaps that's not so unwise," he says. "Do you know how many young men and women I have had under my power like this, Miss Walker?" he asks Aristotle. "Can you imagine?"
(OOC: The 'think' command is just sentences. The 'feel' command creates feelings. The 'recall' command will create images.)
Of course, Aristotle can't help but draw his attention towards the display that continually spits out text after text. He then glances over to Jack for a moment, and he can't but wonder aloud, "Do you enjoy this, Father Jack?"
"Of course not," Jack tells Aristotle -- but then, he's not on the table, is he? "I'm trying to teach you a lesson, Mr. Wilson, Miss Walker," he says. "This is awful. No one should enjoy this." No one should, indeed. "Here," he says. "Try the controls? Try an instruction, Mr. Wilson."
Aristotle looks at Jack, a slight crease of his brow with a gaze focused as if trying to discern something - or gain insight from something obscured. And then, with that look comes just the slightest look of some kind of concentrated effort - but whatever it might have been, is surrendered easily given how exhausted he looks. And then, the fullness of that expression goes away in favor of a contemplative glance to Meridith. Though, quietly, he admits, "I don't think I believe you." He says. He doesn't let it linger, though, asking next, "Do I type in some command on the... controls and then it'll do it?"
Leaning over Aristotle, Jack shows him the small keyboard and then an accompanying dial. "Type the instruction here," he explains as Meridith is bound on the table. "And then turn the dial to increase power before you commit."
Meridith says "I won't fight it...don't worry..."
Jack says, "Miss Walker -- there's no such thing as fighting or not. You don't make decisions." He pauses. "It's your psyche that chooses, and you never know."
Meridith says "Yes Father..."
Aristotle takes a look over the display as the machinery continues to dish out more and more of those private thoughts. He crinkles his nose, averting his eyes in favor of the controls as he begins to type an instruction in.
"There are people in this town I would be terrified to ask that question to," Jack tells Aristotle sotto voice.
Meridith says "When I was..."
Meridith blinks, as Jack speaks she shifts uneasily. "Thirteen...no...that wouldn't be..."
"That's because this town is worse than Sin City." Aristotle quietly adds, finishing his instruction into the console before looking to Meridith when she begins to answer.
Jack says to Aristotle, "Can you imagine asking James Arkwright that question?" He pauses. "Though --" There's a moment. "Miss Walker, I suppose I can't police respect in your thoughts, but I can try."
Meridith says "Uh-uhm...my happiest memory was...in the back room of...the Nymph I....I had been given a drug...and...a man um, he was...comforting me and...we...had very...good sex...um....against a wall..."
There's a long, low look at Meridith. "I'm sorry, Miss Walker..." He pauses, and then asks Aristotle, "If I could?" Jack is asking for access to the console.
Aristotle furrows his brow at Meridith's words, and even further at what displays, and soon he's moving towards her. "I'm gonna take your restraints off." He says, setting a hand to her bindings. "I told you to share your happiest memory... I thought it'd be a palette cleanser... if it helps, my happiest memory," he says to Meridith, as if trying to comfort her by sharing that bit about himself. "Was kissing a boy in a mausoleum at the cemetery after I was late to a halloween party. No drugs involved, but... it's kind of the same, right?" When Jack is asking for the controls, of which Aristotle has stepped away from, he's suggesting, "What're you planning?"
Meridith says "Urgh...it was Jack. I had a different story in mind then he started talking about how horrible that could be and I was like, why would that be terrible? And I started thinking of horrible happy moments"
Fingers dance, with some practice -- Jack has been at this console before. He looks up, sharply, at Meridith. "Now it's not your thoughts," he says. "Be polite." A look at Aristotle, and then he says -- "Look." A glance for the man before he hits submit.
Meridith begins humming loudly.
There's a slow inhale through Aristotle's nostrils at the additional information that Meridith reveals. With his expression those words are heard, processed, understood, and acknowledged, but he does not vocalize any internal opinion he may have on it. Instead, his eyes turn to the display as Jack types away, and then he's turning his attention back to Meridith.
"Miss Walker!" Jack says, stepping back from the console. He looks up at Aristotle. "Mr. Wilson," he says. "Try a triggered instruction, and then we'll unstrap her from the table and dismiss class for tonight." When Tomas enters, he looks up. "Mr. Inigo," he says. "Good evening."
"...I think I could just unstrap her now, right?" Aristotle asks, glancing over to Jack and giving him a fleeting look. "I mean... we get the point, by now, right?" He asks him.