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

[immaculacies]

No. [She says it so matter-of-factly, like the question and its conclusion are utterly normal to her.] They expect the kids to fight, too.

[photoshooter]

That's terrible! No one should be fighting here at all! Especially if it's something they want us to do!

[He can't help but think of Talcott. What would he do if Talcott were here, forced to fight for his life?]

Whoever put something like this together is seriously unhinged.

[immaculacies]

Yes, you're right. [She doesn't disagree with that much, at the very least.] I wonder why, though. What purpose could someone have for creating this scenario? For bringing us here?

[The Holy Grail War she understands, at least. There's a clear goal in sight, even if it's foolish. This, on the other hand...]

[photoshooter]

[He runs his hands back through his hair, grimacing.]

I have no idea. I don't even understand how most of this is possible, let alone what kind of sick purpose it's supposed to serve. Last I checked, there was no way to send a bunch of people to outer space, especially with them not knowing how they got there.

[immaculacies]

It is possible to send humans into space, given sufficient technology. It's our lack of memory that makes me wonder.

[Hypnotism? Some technology that can alter or suppress memories? It's hard to say. She's sure that she must be separated from her original universe, but that doesn't provide her with any help intuiting what magical or technological rules this one operates by.

...Not that he has a better idea than she does, obviously.]

Ah. But I'm just thinking out loud. Do you want to come out now?

[photoshooter]

[He considers this, and considers how ridiculous it is for a grown man to be hiding behind a table from a girl who's probably in, like, middle school.]

I guess.

[But he doesn't have to be happy about it! Embarrassed, Prompto picks himself up, brushes himself off, and tries to remember if he ever knew what dignity felt like. Signs point to no.]

Uh, hi. Sorry. I'm Prompto, I'm not... usually this jumpy.

[Prompto, stop telling lies about yourself, you easily intimidated goober.]

[immaculacies]

It's fine. That's normal, I think.

[She doesn't really understand """feelings""" and how they work, but. It seems like a normal human reaction to be on edge now. Even she feels unsettled, for as little as it shows on her face.]

My name is Manaka. ...Mm, Prompto. Are you this worried just because you woke up in a strange place?

[There's something she wants to know, but it isn't something she can ask directly. So, she hedges around the question like that, hoping that he'll make mention of something without her needing to tell him what it is.]

[photoshooter]

[There's a minute catch, a slight hesitation at that 'just,' before Prompto answers.]

Well... There's a lot of things wrong with this picture, don't you think? I don't remember being attacked or anything, a-and these definitely aren't my clothes.

[They also definitely aren't flattering on a guy of his build. He's so skinny and awkward, couldn't they have just please given him some pants?]

It's really scary when you think about it, right? All those things that must've happened while we were out.

[immaculacies]

Of course. There's a lot about this situation that I don't like, either. But... I think people who are accustomed to having some way to defend themselves are liable to be even more scared than someone who never had any protection at all. Did I misjudge?

[photoshooter]

[Oh, is that all she's asking?]

It's kind of freaking me out that I can't find my gun anywhere, yeah. Or any of my things. Even my phone...

[immaculacies]

Just a gun? Nothing more...

[magical?]

...Intrinsic? Something that should be part of you.

[photoshooter]

...No?

[TBH, there are things that are part of him whose disappearance he wouldn't mind.]

I'm not missing any body parts or anything...? I'm just a normal guy, it's not like I've got any special powers to lose on my own.

[immaculacies]

Mm, all right. [So, not of any help to her, then. Still...] Thank you. That's all I wanted to know.

[photoshooter]

Uh, okay. [She's kind of a strange one, isn't she?] Are you sure? You don't need any help with anything?

[It doesn't feel right, just letting such a small kid go off on her own in such a terrifying situation.]

[immaculacies]

Mm-hm. Don't worry, I'll be fine on my own.

[She doesn't need any help that another captive can give her, anyway.]

[photoshooter]

Okay... but let me know if that changes, all right? I know I didn't make the greatest first impression, but I'm more reliable than I look.

[Which isn't really saying that much, but... well, he tried.]

[immaculacies]

...All right. [She answers him somewhat stiffly.] If I do need help, I'll ask you.

[She doesn't foresee it being necessary, but... It seems polite to agree. She isn't sure what else there is to do about it, seeing as she doesn't receive offers like that...ever, really.]