Welcome to the Program

[airlockedmods]

Good Morning, Champions. In the interest of maintaining healthy sleep patterns, a day/night cycle is in effect. Your presence is expected in the cafeteria in exactly one hour.

[The voice comes through not a large speaker, but through the device that's attached to each Champion's arm. Further investigation of the features of the device will reveal a list of profiles, a mini-map, and a list of rules. The hallways are shiny white and silver, with running lights along the floor and lights on the ceiling, and at the junction of the hallways is a sign with a knife and fork icon and an arrow pointing down the hall.

Welcome to the Excellence Program, Champions. Time to get to know your teammates.]

Comments

Cafeteria

[humanitarianherbalist]

[The Griffin is going to put both his foreclaws on the table and stare at Toby.]

What kind of bird are you?

[ambecomedeath]

I'm a Finisci! [Obviously The Griffin is another Aviant so he doesn't need the penguin modifier. Obviously.] We live up north.

[humanitarianherbalist]

I see. I have never traveled that far myself. Northern temperatures do not suit me as well. Although..."we," you said. You have others of your kind?

[ambecomedeath]

Of course, there's lots of us. Aren't you a -

[Oh. He notices the whole Rest Of The Griffin. Is it rude to ask if someone is a half breed. Probably.]

What kind of bird are you?

[humanitarianherbalist]

I am a Griffin. Although I suppose I could also call myself "the" Griffin. I have not met another of my kind in centuries. [A pause]

[ambecomedeath]

[???? Centuries????]

Wow, that's a long time to be alone. [!! Oh, but he's still an Aviant (probably).] But all Aviants are brothers, so at least you've met me!

[Nevermind that Toby's a penguin and not a Griffin. Birds of a feather gotta flock together!]

[humanitarianherbalist]

[He blinks.] Aviants? I have not heard that term before. Although it does seem to share a similar root to "avian."

[ambecomedeath]

It's the Galactic Common term, so that makes sense. The actual terms is [he chirps something] but humans have a pretty hard time with that so they make up new words for stuff that already has words.

[SHRUG. He doesn't mind, but he does think it's weird.]

[humanitarianherbalist]

[A soft chuckle] Yes, humans do seem to enjoy doing that. [He mimics the chirp, somewhat awkwardly.] Is my pronunciation acceptable?

[ambecomedeath]

It's a little low, but I think that's down to accent. Obviously when I say things and you say things, they're gonna be different!

[You know, being as Toby's a penguin and the Griffin is a griffin.]

[humanitarianherbalist]

Of course. I hope it is comprehensible, at least.

[ambecomedeath]

Totally! Way more so than SOME people I know. Some people can't even speak GALACTIC Common properly, let alone Aviant Common.

[humanitarianherbalist]

There are different categories of this "Common" language then? Does that not defeat the purpose of it being "common"?

[ambecomedeath]

No, common is just like. A standard form of a language? [He sounds slightly unsure. It's not like he's a linguist or anything.] Like, every kind of Aviant speaks a slightly different language. In school, we learned Aviant Common so we could talk to any Aviant without trouble! But since SOOOOOOOO many different kinds of people have to talk to each other now, everyone also learns Galactic Common so we can talk with Humans or Aelfrin or even Jennerit - not that anybody wants to talk to the Jennerit.

[That's what happens when you're a FUCKING DICK.]

[humanitarianherbalist]

That sounds like quite a lot to learn. [He tilts his head.] Why would no one wish to speak to the Jennerit?

1/2

[ambecomedeath]

Because all Jennerit are FUCKING SCUM!

[ambecomedeath]

[Toby immediately covers his mouth with his flippers.]

Sorry. They just aren't very nice people - they have a lot of tech that's SUPER ADVANCED but also SUPER UNETHICAL and they only care about themselves. They'd let the whole universe darken if it benefitted them!

[humanitarianherbalist]

[Well, it appears he's touched a nerve.] I understand your anger. I am surprised they even bothered to learn a common language, although I suppose they would want to provide a veneer of social acceptability.

[ambecomedeath]

They used to be a lot less terrible before . . . [Toby makes a vague flipper gesture.] I don't really know what happened, but there used to be a time when they weren't terrible!

[humanitarianherbalist]

A change in their leadership, perhaps? Even if a new leader cannot change their opinions, he might be able to send out only the members of his race with no concern for others.