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

[newcycle]

[start with "coffee", because the look she gives makes it pretty clear she still has no clue what any of this is]

Sure. I'll try anything at least once.

I'm Korra-- do you... live... here?

[someone hasn't looked st the profiles yet.]

[dejabrew]

Me? Haha, nooo, I’m still half expecting HAL 9000 to speak up any time now and tell me this is all a bad dream.

I’m Bolton. According to this thing, [he raises his arm to show off the slightly clunky device] I’m the ‘Champion Barista.’ Which, you know, means this.

[His movements are practiced and fluid, making it look as easy as a circus performer makes the high wire. He pours milk into the steaming pitcher, grinds the beans and tamps them into a flat puck then clicks that handle back into place, starts steaming the milk, and then starts the shot pulling, getting a cup and mulling for a few seconds over which syrup to put in before he selects a basic vanilla and then adds half a pump of lavender as well. The result is floral and fragrant and warm, and when he pours the milk over the espresso he takes the extra time to draw an intricate leaf in the foam on top of the latte before he presents her with the mug.]

[newcycle]

HAL 9000?

[w... what. But, look at that. She's watching his movements avidly, because. Wow. That is some next level technology stuff and then--]

You mean this makes a drink?!

[dejabrew]

[...Ah. We're starting with... Well, alright then.]

Um... Yeah. This one in particular is called a "latte," but there's all kinds of drinks you can make with this machine.

[He sets down the cup so he can show her as he empties out the little puck of coffee grounds.]

This is the coffee. You grind it and then the machine pours hot water over it to make the espresso shots. And you steam the milk with this wand over here - [After he throws the puck away, he takes a cloth and wipes the milk off the wand while blasting some steam through it.]

[newcycle]

[she's just. Amazed.]

That looks so complicated and--

[a pause, as she takes the cup in hand]

Wow, I've never seen anything like this before.

[dejabrew]

[Well, her awe gets a small, charmed smile out of him.]

Go ahead, try it.

[newcycle]

[she's absolutely amazed, and taking a sip of the latte.

It's... different, really different from tea. Much heavier, though the milk masks the bitterness. She looks like she's pondering it over, but... it tastes nice?]

... You could say it's a 'latte.'

[enjoy that, Bolton]

[dejabrew]

[He blinks, and then he laughs.]

Not the first time I’ve heard that one, but you catch on pretty quick.

[newcycle]

[she's so proud of herself. Even Mako should be proud of her!!!!]

I guess that one was pretty easy, but it's good, I think.

I've never had anything like this, I usually just drink tea.

[dejabrew]

Really? I’ve never been one for tea. [...Other kinda of herbs, though.] But if you like it, I’ll make you another one anytime. If they’re gonna call me the Champion Barista, I should live up to it.

[newcycle]

I will gladly take it.

I'm Korra, by the way.