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

[playthedamncard]

[There is the barest hint of a set to his jaw at the mention of magic. He really has decided to not entertain that possibility, thanks.]

I meant if you think this is reality as we know it or a simulation thereof.

[stillstands]

[... ... this wasn't really the reaction she'd thought she'd see from this guy, if she's going to be honest.]

Strange?

[le_mat]

Could have been more violent. Guess killing us for investigating would be too easy.

[He fiddles with his own, brow furrowed. That seventh rule makes it clear that just killing them wasn't the goal, after all]

[dejabrew]

[Bolton raises his cup in return and nods at the coffee.]

What do you think? [He asks, cockily. He knows how good his damn coffee is.]

[dejabrew]

That would be the hotel part, I guess. It's all just... way too clean and sterile.

Point is, this entire place can suck my-- [And then he turns and sees that sweet innocent face and he can't do it.] ...milkshakes.

Bolton. And you?

[stillstands]

...

[Okay hold up. Rewind. And play.]

You were in prison?!

[playthedamncard]

Being awake for less than an [in-game] hour, none of us can say anything for certain. But my theory is that we're inside of a virtual reality, and this? This might be what connects our physical selves to our virtual selves. It's also helpful for the in-game activities--a list of fellow player characters, potentially a future inventory list, a map, rules of the game, so you wouldn't want a player to have any chance of losing, misplacing, or...tampering with the device.

[le_mat]

[He glances over at her... and takes a moment to weigh what to say.]

...I thought I understood what this place was. Now I'm...not so sure.

[playthedamncard]

[get on his level, scrub]

Each of us on the list. Players of a game.

[dejabrew]

[He gladly will, at the slightest hint that she's dissatisfied with what she pulled together.]

Miki...Naoki. It's nice to meet you, too.

[He gives her a smile.] Bet the worst part of this is that nobody at your school is ever going to believe you went to space, huh?

[in4apounding]

...the kind you give to someone who's exeedingly exceptional at being mediocre?

[is this a trick question]

You must be VERY good at fitting in.

[dejabrew]

Huh. How many brothers do you have? If you don't mind my asking.

[Because there's at least two of you, but it sounds like you're missing more than one.]

[playthedamncard]

Acceptable. [Good. He means damn it it's good.] Professionally trained?

[photoshooter]

[Notably, Prompto is a sugar but no cream guy. Gotta watch that boyish figure, after all.]

Uh, I guess I'd take mysterious space prison over dying in a gruesome car crash, but you're right, it's sort of a tough call.

[He's? Trying? He blows on his coffee and takes a sip.]

Oh, wow, this is pretty good! My compliments to the barista.

[stillstands]

[Interesting.]

What did you think this place was?

[Other than a space station, that part is clear. But, waking up here and immediately thinking this place made sense? What is this guy?]

[unhappylittletrees]

You're the second person who's asked me that since I woke up and the answer continues to be a resounding no.

[le_mat]

Classified.

[There's JUST enough of a quirk to his voice to hint he's... not lying, but also not being fully serious]

[playthedamncard]

[Okay, so that's...not making shit up. Huh.] You make things reappear after they disappear like a magician?

[stillstands]

[u little shi---]

... Okay. [Fair enough. Secret, secrets are no fun]

But whatever "classified" is, it isn't here?

[photoshooter]

What, like VR? Is that even possible? --I mean, I guess it sounds more possible than outer space, but everything feels real. You can even smell the coffee and stuff.

[lmafo]

Not for like, crimes! Not real ones that I did, anyway. The Batterwitch just captured me and I didn't get a chance to ask why before I woke up here.

[discalibur]

Virtual reality? No, slow down. I very much doubt that is the case, this all seems far too real for that.

And it hardly seems like a game either.

[lmafo]

[ ... ]

Yes. I am a wizard.

[le_mat]

This isn't following the same rules I'm used to, no. I can't 100% say it's not, but I'm open to other options being more likely now.

[His amusement fades into tension]

If that's the case, this is... way worse then I thought.

[discalibur]

A proper appearance is worth the work, I would say! [#aesthetic] Ambiance... yes! Though I don't recall any cupcakes in the cafes I've been to...

[He's been to one.

Literally just the one.]

But I'll agree that proper food is a must. The right cuisine will make all the difference.