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

[stillstands]

[What about if she pulls this face at it: , would that work?]

I--[For a split second, Miki's face goes a little frozen. She'd checked the computer profiles multiple times to see if there was anyone familiar on there, and she's beginning to think that it's a good thing she hadn't spotted a name she recognised. What would they even think, if she came back and told them she'd been in space with a bunch of strangers...?

But it's only for a second, and then she's back.]

--y, yeah. That's a little out of the way for a class trip. I don't think I'd be able to make it into a believable story.

[challengesfate]

Yes, exact-

[Huwhat]

Wait...why? Wouldn't they have the answers we seek?

[stillstands]

...

[It's like you're speaking in tongues, Roxy.]

The... Batterwitch? [Like... okonomiyaki batter? Pancake batter??

okay. but... okay. Focus.]

So, we come to you for tips and experienced advice on kidnapping and how to deal with it.

[unhappylittletrees]

Um, [Hello, strange teenage girl trying to Metal Gear Solid through here.] He's a friend of mine, he likes to pull dumb pranks like this sometimes.

Whooo are you?

[stillstands]

[That's ominous.]

... So, whatever you thought this was was okay, but whatever it might be isn't?

[Clear as mud, Miki.]

[theundertaken]

Hey, you could be an astronaut! At least you’re not, like, twelve. This place is full of kids for some reason.

[But no, no, wait. He saw this in his wrist iPhone.] Oh, hey, are you that Jamie guy?

[theundertaken]

Oooooookay, yeah, but last time I looked you can’t teleport to space overnight either. You could be an alien!

[It was a valid question!]

cafeteria

[discalibur]

[Honestly he's still super damn confused himself, but when compared to this lady, he feels a little more together. Better make sure it's just confusion, though.]

You there. Are you feeling alright?

[dejabrew]

Honestly, same, if it weren't for... Anyway, I'm Bolton.

[A man after his own heart. Bolton grins and tips an imaginary hat.]

Champion Barista, at your service.

[le_mat]

[Akira follows the smell like a bloodhound. And while he certainly wasn't hoping to see Sojiro standing there, part of him was aching for something familiar.

He doesn't butt in on Bolton working, just watching quietly at first... though eventually his eyes close and his breathing makes it clear he is inhaling the scent deep into the bottom of his lungs]

[theundertaken]

You know anything that’s going on, then?

[That’s fine, Max can do the talking.]

[dejabrew]

[He shakes his head.] Hard work and several years of practice. And probably a greater-than-normal passion for coffee.

[theundertaken]

........dude, you know we’re in space?

[dejabrew]

[That's a pretty good hint, yeah. No one's made a face like that at his coffee in years.

He traces the handle of his coffee cup, realizing he overstepped.]

Sorry. School a sore subject? I get it.

[in4apounding]

...you've been into space before? Really?

[P R I O R I T I E S]

And I haven't seen any hats here, I'm VERY sorry.

[karappo]

[Yeah, that's...pretty concerning by all accounts, especially given the amount of it. Sure, there'd need to be a lot for what...over twenty people?]

I do not know about you, but I do not intend to be here forever. Just as long as it takes for this whole scenario to run its course.

[Then, he's certain they'll just wake up back home like nothing ever happened.]

[discalibur]

And still it looks so dreary!

[Priorities.]

Since it's in space, that's all the more reason to look as grand as the location itself!

[lmafo]

Roxy Lalonde, expert, adorable, and hella confused teenage adventurer. Who are you?

[playthedamncard]

As flattered as I am that you think I'm responsible for this, [is flattered really the right word?] I have nothing to do with what's going on.

And the probability of alien life looking indistinguishable from humans is incredibly small. [Just wait until he meets the Doctor oh wait...]

[le_mat]

Not okay, but a not okay I know. Not a not okay I don't know.

[Also very clear here]

[lovecolored]

[ She pauses right in the middle of shaking her fist at the ceiling. ]

Hmm? Oh, yeah, just was, a little bit ago.

[ Marisa straightens out, folding her arms against her chest and scowling. ]

Dammit. Is everyone wearing these ugly suits...?

[karappo]

[Ah, yep, he's seen that look before...though he's actually pleased that Akira got him right on his first try. Not that Karamatsu's hard to point out once you start talking to him.]

The one and only~

[He quickly flips from the rules back to the profiles himself. He's glad for the change of topic...let's just not talk about those right now.]

And you are...Kurusu Akira, I assume?

[playthedamncard]

We are allowed to investigate as we please. Barring the details of the other rules. At least now we know that by 'tampering' with the device, they mean do just about anything with it that isn't its intended use.

[discalibur]

Romantic... Yes, I suppose so! I like that. [Oh god now he's going to run with this.] Like a modern day knight, in a way!

[in4apounding]

Nope!

[Way too cheerful.]

...do people live in space? Is that something that can happen?